Other gods

All this I will give you if you bow down and worship me.

This past week marked the festival to the god of abundance, Ekeko.  The fair grounds were full of vendors selling their wares to the followers of this god.  At the entrance to the fair, there stands a large statue of the Ekeko god.










What is the belief about this god?  Followers are encouraged to buy products in miniature that represent their desires.  If you wish to travel, you purchase a miniature suitcase.  If you want to graduate you purchase a miniature diploma.  The most common miniature sold is money - miniature bolivianos, miniature dollars and miniature euros.  The belief is that in the coming year, Ekeko will make these miniature objects become real.

Another belief is that Ekeko can change your life.  If women buy a miniature rooster, they will get married in the coming year (men buy miniature hens).  Miniature dolls will help you to have a child.  Frogs and elephants are said to represent good luck.  Owls will bring wisdom.

Amauta - La Razon

Amauta - La Razon

 After making your purchases, they are taken to the amauta (shaman) who blesses your miniatures.  He sprinkles some water over them and then waves them over a small fire of coals or incense.  Some people, as a final step, will also take their miniatures to the priest who sprinkles them with holy water.

Ekeko

You can also purchase your own Ekeko to keep in your home or business to ensure good luck

Ekeko

Worship the Lord Thy God and serve Him only.

Touching the Sky

Have you ever been told that you "have your head in the clouds"?  Most people know that Denver, CO is known as the "Mile High" city.  Well, here in La Paz we are over 2 miles high (11,975 ft.).  So I guess, technically,  you could say that we "have our head in the clouds"!

One of the drawbacks of living at such a high altitude, is that any time you are coming from a lower altitude up to the city, you are likely to suffer from altitude sickness.  This usually affects people with the following symptoms: throbbing headache, nausea, dizziness, sleep disturbance, fatigue.

What should you do?  The first recommendation is to rest.  Since the air is so thin at this high an altitude, your body needs to produce more red blood cells to be able to absorb more oxygen.  When  you sleep your body produces more red blood cells.  (Sleep is usually not a problem since  you are not feeling so well, anyway.)  Another recommendation is to avoid any kind of physical effort such as lifting, going up and down steps, etc., and eat  light meals.


Is there any way to relieve these symptoms?  The local residents recommend drinking coca tea made from unprocessed coca leaves.  This tea is readily available at stores or at the open market, or you can buy some raw leaves and brew your own.  There are also "soroche" pills to help you sleep through the night.

If you follow the recommendations and rest, avoid strenuous activity and drink your tea, you should start feeling better in 2-3 days and then you can start enjoying La Paz, the city where we touch the sky!

Celebration X 5

The church was decorated with white gladiolas and white carnations.  Ribbons and flowers adorned the benches.  A bowl with water and a drying towel were placed on the altar.  The guests had been invited and the service prepared.  All was ready for the great celebration.

 After the opening hymn, Pastor Julio invited five people to come forward.  These five were all brothers and sisters, the oldest was only 10 and the youngest were 1 year old twin boys.  The brothers and sisters came to the front of the church, along with the witnesses, to be baptized.  After having studied baptism with Pastor Julio, the parents asked that their children receive this wonderful blessing of baptism for the forgiveness of sins and the gifts of faith and eternal life.  What joy for us and for the angels in heaven to see the Holy Spirit creating faith as promised, in the hearts of these little ones.  May God be praised!


After the ceremony, all were invited to participate in a meal with the family.  We were also treated to some typical Bolivian dances presented by the children.  The dances were very traditional and the children dressed in typical costumes.

We are thankful for the spiritual blessings of this day, when we were reminded of the work of the Lord among us through the blessings of baptism, and also for the blessing of fellowship with fellow believers.