He is risen!

Charlie and I woke early on Easter morning- at 3:45 am. Yes- AM (hence the reason Josh decided to stay in bed). You see, we had to get to church and even though we woke “in the middle of the night” (according to Charlie), we were late!

Easter is a big celebration here even without grocery aisles of Peeps or visits from the Easter Bunny.

At 3:30 in the morning, the drums started. Wake up everyone! Get to church!

The Easter party started at the church where youth and kids banged on drums and shook gourds filled with beans. Following behind, the crowd took to the road singing and dancing. Through the hospital compound, the joyous sound could be heard. We met up with them at the hospital exit.

Then we marched past the market and waited for more people. Eventually the crowd grew bigger and it was time for us to take the celebration on a hike up the mountain (maybe a mile?) in the dark. Charlie did awesome! She walked it all!

We sang and danced. We celebrated the fact that Jesus conquered death and sin- for us. We heard a message that called us to find our “mission field” because like the women at the empty tomb we all have been called to “go and tell what we have seen!”

As the service ended, the sun arose. It was a beautiful sight. The whole thing was so moving. What a celebration! And as another missionary said, “There is no doubt to the unbelievers living around here that today is a special day!”

We then hiked back down the slippery mountain (I only fell on my bottom once) and then down the road.

Although the group continued the celebration at church, Charlie and I went home because I thought we could use a nap. Ha! Charlie had another idea- her Easter basket! I had brought a few treats for her from the States. Yes that is a Cabury egg in her hand- yum!

Josh woke up to a fun Easter surprise too- preseptal cellulitis (aka an infection around his eye). He looks like he got punched in the eye. Shinar has a shiner! (not to worry- it is getting better after some antibiotics- great thing there is a million doctors here!)

Then we celebrated with 30+ other missionaries at an amazing Easter pot luck and the food was awesome! I am starting to drool even thinking about it again. Charlie had a ton of fun playing with friends.

Although I miss family and friends (and even some of the holiday hype) during holidays, I love being in a community where it really is all about Jesus. Where it is less about stuff and more about time with people! Less about stuff and more about a concern for the lost! Less stuff and more Jesus! For He is Risen! He is risen indeed!