Easter week!

Til on that cross as Jesus died

The wrath of God was satisfied
For every sin on Him was laid
Here in the death of Christ I live, I live

There in the ground His body lay
Light of the world by darkness slain
Then bursting forth in glorious Day
Up from the grave He rose again

And as He stands in victory
Sin's curse has lost its grip on me
For I am His and He is mine
Bought with the precious blood of Christ

So a little heads-up..Easter is my favorite holiday. It is everything. There is no reason to celebrate Christmas if there was no Easter. There is no reason to be a Christian if there was no Easter. There is no reason to live a joyful life if there was no Easter. There is no life...if there was no Easter.

So knowing that you will understand my disappointment at finding Easter as a very overlooked holiday here. *big sigh of exasperation* I was explained to that the Catholics cling to traditions over Holy Week and it's quite the ordeal for them and occasionally the Sunday sermon is resurrection oriented in evangelical churches. But no one grasps and truly celebrates with gladness the resurrection, beauty, gift, and life that is Easter!

So I tried to meditate on the scriptures of Christ's entry, crucifixion, and resurrection, listen to my favorite hymns, and find little ways of celebrating. Here's a little about my week! :)

Monday I received an Easter package from my family back home. Spent the morning in a park; reading singing, and chowing down on Peeps! :)

Rushing to Spanish lessons after work, this is my dinner on Tuesday/Thursday nights. Lovely fellowship with my Spanish teacher Toni about Spanish, culture, Easter, and life. The little blessings!

Araceli and I at The Center! A little sweetheart in my class this year who hasn't left my side/lap since school started!

Devon!!! Wednesday night Devon came over to cook, catch up, sing some hymns, read the Bible, and do our own version of Easter celebration. Spent some great time opening up & pouring our hearts out on my roof. Later with 3 more Americans! 

Paola and I at The Center this week! 

After an iTeams meeting Friday morning, I spent the day with this family;  preparing and devouring  a huge meal of pumpkin soup, chuño, salsas, trout, potatoes, and milk & rice desert.

 When I got home Friday I found myself without a key & my house empty. What could have been a pain ended up being a blessing! I sat at the neighbor's store for almost 2 hours in which I got to share the gospel (starting with Easter & why I am so happy) with all kinds of neighbors who came in & out & stopped to talk.

Saturday morning we headed off for Chapare! A jungle district 4 or 5 hours out of Cochabamba!

Some nifty swinging/zip-lining contraptions we got to experience in the Yungas!

We saw way too many bananas for my liking this weekend...

I spent the whole weekend in awe, how beautiful!

Roadtrip! haha. Squished between these brothers for hours upon hours sure did make me miss my own, I'll tell you that!

I was a little more excited than everyone else about the monkeys!!! :) Don't see those in Iowa.

Everyone got into the river Saturday after walking around in the jungle! So gorgeous! 

Where I spent my Resurrection Sunday! Swimming in beautiful river water with all kinds of people.

An absolutely lovely week and weekend. Finding joy in just about everything. Celebrating what Christ did that day that gives us true life every day in Him! It's more than traditions!

Happy Easter to everyone!
He is risen, He is risen indeed!

Jesus paid it all, all to Him I owe. Sin had left a crimson stain, He washed it white as snow.