Semana Santa (Holy Week)

Tonight our family went to a neighboring area called, Desamperados. Desamperados means deserted or abandoned in spanish. In fact, when translated to spanish, Desamperado appears in Jesus's words from the cross, "My God, My God why have you forsaken me."

Today is Holy Friday. Holy (or Good) Friday is a big deal in Costa Rica and most of the Spanish world. In San Jose, everything shuts down and even the buses and taxis stop running. Throughout the city, there are two processionals during this day. First in the morning to reenact Jesus going to the cross. Most processions are small and only statues are carried through the streets. Some, however, are very elaborate, including many actors and fake blood. It can be very "real."

The second processional, comes later in the day when Jesus is taken down from the cross and carried through the street to be buried in the tomb. This is the processional that we saw in Desamperados and that is on the video below.

As you watch the video, notice the large amount of people gathered to watch and walk in this processional. As you do, I want you to realize that there are many people in Costa Rica who genuinely love Jesus Christ. But, I also want you to pray, for many of these people mourning do not know the life-giving reality of Jesus Christ. Many only know the death of Good Friday and have missed out on the LIFE of resurrection Sunday. Please pray that many here in Costa Rica, AND IN PARAGUAY, would come to know Jesus Christ as the Savior for their sins and the LORD who reigns over their lives.

Scenes from Costa Rica

This is why people say Costa Rica is so beautiful!

Breaking Through...

Hello there...

Tonight I was thinking about Jesus' resurrection. As I was thinking about that I was thinking about a struggle that I have been having over something. It is one of those things in life that you just seem to struggle with. You know those things?

Well, I was thinking about both of those realities, my struggle, and the vast amount of power it must take to raise someone from the dead. I mean, think about it. Jesus was dead. Beaten, hair pulled out, mashed to a bloody pulp, stabbed, smacked, punched, pierced, battered and bleeding everywhere. And then in three days... he was alive! Walking, talking, eating... ALIVE!

Imagine the rumble of the earth as the power of God broke forth upon the land of the dead. Imagine the coming of our Lord, to place his nail-pierced foot once more on our earth. Imagine the angels watching in wonder... the long silence of the weekend shattered by the awesomeness of the reality that the SON was back... Imagine the power that must take.

And as I was thinking upon such things... I heard a quiet voice in my heart. John... don't you think, if I can exert enough power to raise again from the ash heap of death... That I can exert enough power to get you through this struggle in your life?

Of course, the answer is YES! Yes, God you can do it. Yes God you can do it!!!

Don't look now, but I think there is some rumbling in my heart... I wonder what God will do?!?

Getting Started

Hello there...

The new elder plugged in the overhead projector and the pastor said, "well, we have finally stepping into the 1980's."  The elder shot back, "but, Pastor, we are living in 2008."  

"Well," the Pastor shot back, "Let's not get ahead of ourselves."

Lisa and I figured it was a good time to start our blog.  Thanks to the help of a great friend (John Pham) we are up an running.  I trust that one day, this site might be somewhat full of pictures and fun... but alas... let's not get ahead of ourselves.  For now, we are content that we are even here.

So, Thank you for visiting... Thank you for being on the team!

Peace,

John and Lisa Sappia (and Ali, Megan, Andrew and Caleb)