Terry and Muriel Henderson

Dear Friends:

Greetings from Tlancualpican, Mexico.  It is Holy Week!  As you experience it in the USA, we live the experience here.  In this country schools and universities have a two week vacation; factories give their workers a one-week holiday and other businesses and government offices close for Maundy Thursday and Good Friday.  Due to the closure of factories and schools there is less traffic and less smog.  City dwellers who can afford a trip, travel to coastal resorts so there is a steady stream of vehicles and buses departing the city.  If you ever consider a trip to Mexico City to see the wonderful museums, pyramids and historical sites, Holy Week is the very best time of the year to do just that as the city is less crowded and blue skies can be observed.

Starting with Palm Sunday, Methodist Churches have Holy Week services most everyday with the Maundy Thursday and Good Friday services being of special significance.  When communion is offered at the Thursday service many people do not come forward feeling unworthy and too sinful to partake of the elements of bread and wine (grape juice).  Yet today there are many who do not understand that Christ made full payment for our sin. There is nothing any of us can do to make ourselves worthy of God’s love, grace and forgiveness. It is in the price Christ paid on the cross, when he gave his body and sacrificed his blood, that redeems us in the sight of God.  The Good Friday service is held in the afternoon and usually lasts from 2 to 3 hours as the congregation listens to the message of the Seven Last Words (phrases) of Jesus from the cross, interspersed with prayers and hymns.   

The Saturday preceding Easter Sunday is a time for congregations to gather for  an outing or  picnic together.  If a church decides not to have a Saturday activity a number of church families may decide to plan a picnic at one of their homes or at a campsite out of town.  Water most always comes into play.  If you are driving through a small town or village, buckets of water may come splashing your way. If you  picnic near a stream or creek, everyone must be splashed or pulled into the water.  It is a tradition!

The great celebration of the week is the Easter Sunrise Service.  Each Methodist Church hosts their own service and it can begin at 4:00 a.m., 5:00 a.m. or 6:00 a.m. depending upon the tradition of each congregation.  Being services last two hours or more, the sun will be up before the service concludes!  Many of the great hymns you sing at your Easter service are also sung in Mexico. The difference here is that not every church has a piano, organ or keyboard so there is a lot of joyful singing without musical accompaniment.  We are sure God rejoices in hearing voices in celebration of the Risen Christ as congregations “Make a joyful noise unto the Lord…”(Psalm 100:1).

Many churches host a breakfast after the Easter Sunrise Service.  Traditionally tamales, rolls and a hot, thick, sweet drink called Atole or cinnamon-sweet coffee is served. And people repeat the Good News that is proclaimed around the world: Christ is risen!  Christ is risen indeed! Alleluia!

The excitement grows today as we realize that tomorrow, Easter Sunday, you and your congregation in the United States and in other countries and we here in Mexico will sing out in joyous song together:   Christ the Lord is risen today, Alleluia!   As Christians, we are, indeed, an Easter people!

Monday afternoon we will post photographs of our Holy Week activities and Easter service here in the village of Tlancualpican, Mexico.  We invite you to visit our web site,  www.gytte.org  where you can click on the link Recent Updates   for  a glimpse into Mexico and the life of your missionaries!

May the glorious light of the Easter message shine in your  heart throughout the year.

Your  mission  partners,