Faithful - To Whom?

Carnaval-worshiping the Virgin

Living in a foreign country gives one the opportunity to observe traditions and customs and see how these are reflected in the lives and attitudes of the people.  Recently we have been able to see the festival to the god Ekeko who is said to bring good luck and prosperity.  After that we watched carnaval groups as they danced in honor of the virgin promising her their devotion.  Then came the Challa Tuesday in honor of Mother Earth who is also said to be the giver of all good things.  The following day many people went to church in honor of Ash Wednesday where they bowed before Jesus-whom they also call Savior.

Ekeko, the virgin, mother earth, Jesus - devotion and worship is varied and divided between different deities.  All are seen as means of receiving blessing and all are seen as valid.  The more gods you worship the closer you are to attaining eternal life.

Challa to mother earth

 "I have been a member of this church all my life".  This is another kind of devotion that is thought to result in merit.  Even if the church does not have a solid doctrinal base and any pastor is welcome to come and teach his views, I still have been faithful to my church.  This results in devotion to a building - and not to any belief or doctrine.

People are searching for peace and the hope of eternal life.  They hope Ekeko or mother earth will give it to them.  They are more faithful to a building more than to maintaining true teaching within the building.  When belief is so divided how can they find the truth?

Paul had the same dilemma when he came to Athens.  So many altars, so many gods - but no truth to be found.  Paul presented the truth of God's Word and prayed the Holy Spirit would work in their hearts.  With God's help, we are doing the same here.  Many false gods, many traditions, many voices are calling out to the people's hearts.  Only the truth of the true gospel can sound a clear call in the midst of all the babble of the false teachings.  We pray daily that God would reach into the hearts of those who are hearing the preaching of His law and gospel and create true faith in the Savior and the strength to resist and reject all the false teachings that surround them.

Challar

Offering to Mother Earth-Pagina Siete

The Tuesday before Ash Wednesday is known as "Martes de Challa" which is the day dedicated to honor Mother Earth.  Offerings, petitions and thanksgiving are given to Mother Earth because "she is the one who provides and blesses everything we have in this life and she makes everything better" said one faithful follower.








The traditional offering consists of candies, flowers, fruits, spices, cereals, nuts, a llama fetus, streamers...sprinkled with rubbing alcohol and then set on fire.  As the offering burns, one dances and sings around the offering.  The president offered a challa in front of a newly purchased property where a new government palace will be built.  They thanked Mother Earth for this property and asked that she bless the new construction.

Challar van

 A more modern version of this offering is to decorate your house or business with balloons and streamers.  Rubbing alcohol is sprinkled in all the corners of the home.  Then prayers and petitions are given to Mother Earth.

Many people who work in the transportation business will decorate their taxis or bus in dedication to Mother Earth.  They are hopeful that this will guarantee them success in the coming year.

challar house

Candies to challar home

 Another way to worship Mother Earth on this day is the throw hard candies on the tin roof of your home.  The loud noise this makes is said to frighten away any evil spirits.  The modern version of this is to set off fireworks.  In their efforts to keep these evil spirits away we heard fireworks going off from before dawn until the late hours of the night.