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.