EMAIL... Week 41 with PICTURES!

Hola All!

So this week is Semana Santa, Holy Week, and like the kids where we live...Spring Break! Most stores and businesses closed at the end of the day on Wednesday, and some closed early on Thursday. As we drove around doing visits yesterday, Friday, the streets were dead! No buses and few taxis, which was nice for the driver! Many people were away at the beaches for the holiday. As we went to visit a family we regularly visit on Fridays, who lives on a kind of divided dirt road, we were exposed to one of their traditions for "Good Friday". The side of the street in front of their home had street murals for the whole block. These were not the chalk kind that we might see in the US, but were made of sawdust colored with paint, and then sprinkled to form the pictures and words. They used templates for some of them, but much of the work was done free hand, and then carefully sprayed with water, so the sawdust wouldn't blow away or smear. They were truly remarkable. (pictures below) We went to visit the family and only the wife was home. I had to ask her why they were all of Mary and not of Christ. She said that they have a theme every year, and this year it is Mary. Last year was Jesus. They were "judged" last night and then the congregation walks around the block together and then over all of the murals. That is the "sacrifice" of the artists. They work all day to have them destroyed. We saw a few small, single ones around town later in the evening.

Our experience last week with the group in Condega was sweet. It was held on the back, covered patio of a family, and there were 17 of us. Since it was Fast Sunday, we had the opportunity to bear our testimonies with the members there. The spirit was strong and we were truly impressed by how well they adapt to make things work. Elder K showed a video of Elder Clayton's talk from this past General Conference during second hour, since none of them had been able to travel to Estelí to watch the broadcast. They quickly grabbed a lightweight blanket, knotted the two bottom corners, and hung it from the patio cover behind the table holding the laptop, making it so much easier to see. They love the leaders of the Church, and even though they have to listen through translators, they value their talks, guidance, and love! Tonight we are going up for their Noche de Hermanamiento, which is like a fireside with a treat and a game at the end. Elder K is doing the message with an Easter video, and I get to contribute with banana-chocolate chip muffins. 

We have both been preparing our messages for tomorrow's Easter Sacrament Meeting. Two of our precious and talented grandchildren recorded "Gethsemane" for us to play for the special musical number, which they have never experienced. Our visits this week have really helped us prepare spiritually, as we have testified of our Savior, Jesus Christ, and of His life and mission, all part of our Heavenly Father's Plan of Happiness. None of us could make it without Him. We are so grateful for a loving Heavenly Father, Who sent His Son to show us how to live, how to love, how to serve, and the pathway back to Them with our families. May we all celebrate the blessings of the Atonement and Resurrection, as we worship Him, Who made immortality and eternal life possible for us all.

We love you!

Love,

Elder and Hermana Koelliker

*Scenes from Semana Santa. The street murals are called "Alfombras."