Although Easter is not a traditional holiday here in Costa Rica, we celebrated Easter Sunday with a baptismal service at a quinta (small property) with our church plant in Paraíso (which means "Paradise"). Eleven members were baptized and a few more are interested. Above is Carla, one of the members who was baptized along with her husband. What an exciting way to remember Christ's resurrection this past weekend. In most Catholic churches, the celebration seems to stop on Santo Viernes or Good Friday. Wouldn't it be terrible if we were left celebrating only the death of Christ and not the resurrection! Common traditions include processionals of the cruficied Christ carried by priests or on the back of a truck followed by mourners from the church.
After the baptismal service, people were welcome to stay around for a time of fellowship and games. The kids really enjoyed the open area of grass (not found in the city!) and the men took advantage of it as well with a game of futbol. Despite tearing his foot open (they all play barefoot) Dave was complimented on his soccer talent - I guess those years of soccer in high school paid off! It really was a great time for us to enjoy the beauty of the Orosi valley and the new friendships we've made over the last few months.
