Choose you this day...

In the last blog, I told you we were scheduled to have our 2nd English and Bible study class in Tipitapa today and that’s exactly what we planned to do but as we have learned all too well, our plans can never be considered set in cement. At any moment, something can come up that forces all plans to change and the best way to handle these kinds of things is with an attitude of flexibility. Sure wish I would have learned that lesson years ago…

I don’t think I remembered to mention this part, but after our class last week, the pastor’s wife asked if she could bring some more people to the next class and then, we received an e-mail from our friends, Angi and Ronnie, who have the camp in Tipitapa, asking if it would be alright if some of their employees and friends came. Of course, the answer was yes to everyone but since we had no idea how many would be coming, we assured everyone there would be no charge for the classes, but that the students were going to be responsible for their own notebook and pencil or pen. We also added that if that was going to be something that would prohibit anyone from coming, to be sure and let us know and we would make sure they had the necessary supplies as we don’t want that to ever prohibit anyone from attending. Neither do we want to give anyone the wrong impression that we’re there to simply do handouts. So, it looked like what we had thought was going to be our original 5 students was going to grow again.

We were really looking forward to today’s class. But then we received an e-mail advisory from the American Embassy against being out on the street’s today. We know there are many folks who disregard these advisories but we prefer to heed them if at all possible. When we called Miguel yesterday afternoon and reminded him that it was the beginning of Santo Domingo, he understood and agreed that it would be best for us to remain at home today. Jim told him of the advisory from the Embassy and he was concerned that we would be scared. We’re not scared but we don’t want to put ourselves in a position where we might end up that way. We got caught in part of the parade last year and it took us well over several hours to get home. We didn’t want to deal with that again this year. I know Miguel was disappointed as were we but we all felt it was the best decision and he said he would notify the students.

August 1st is the beginning of the 10 day celebration of Santo Domingo de Guzmán, the patron saint of Managua. This is the most famous festival in Managua. The 1st and the 10th are the actual holidays and are the big days of the celebration with literally thousands of people jamming the streets of Managua as they slowly dance alongside the decorated platform which holds the little wooden statue of “Santo Domingo” from Las Sierritas, a small church south of the city in a procession called the Bajada del Santo (walk down of the saint) to the Santo Domingo cathedral which is located in the heart of the city.

These celebrations have a lot going on, with marching bands, folks with painted faces, dressed in traditional folkloric costumes, some even representing "diablo", the devil, horse parades, street performers, etc. all in high spirits. But there is a need to exercise caution when there is a great number of people assembled and a huge amount of alcohol being consumed. That’s just not a good combination. But it doesn’t end today…this procession will take place again on the 10th, only in reverse when the Subida del Santo (walk up of the saint) happens…the returning of the statue to the little church in Las Sierritas.

Much of the fiesta has its roots in pre-colonial times and a lot of the traditions are still strongly held by many folks – the asking for personal miracles, making promises to the saint in hopes of having their prayers answered and giving thanks for prayers that the saint had answered. Some “walk” for some distance on their knees entering the church on their bloodied knees, thinking that their sacrifice of blood and pain will perhaps earn the favor of the little glass-covered wooden saint.

These celebrations start early and go late. At four o’clock this morning, I was awakened by the sound of music and loud speakers coming from the barrio down below us. Apparently I wasn’t the only one who didn’t welcome the interruption of sleep as the neighbor’s rooster also began to protest. Then their dogs began to bark. I thought it was enough noise to wake the dead! And then I remembered that’s what this day is all about…worshiping a dead saint.

It would be easy to brush this off as uneducated people simply following tradition. After all, I've heard repeatedly that "these people aren't that far removed from their native Indian ancestory". That argument just doesn't hold up when many of the celebrants are well educated and well respected in their communities. I believe it is more than that. I believe that the enemy is in the midst of this celebration today and is loving every minute of it.

I don’t want to disparage the history of Saint Dominic Guzman, who died in 1221. If even a portion of what I have read about him is true, I believe he was a man of God who loved the Lord with all his heart. I’m certainly in no position to dispute the veracity of what he was reputed to have done. In many respects, I am only a child in my walk with the Lord but I know Him well enough to know that I don’t want to speak against the works of the Spirit of which I don’t have knowledge or have not witnessed myself. I believe God and His works are far bigger than I can even begin to understand. Why would I worship a lesser God than One whose thoughts and ways are far greater than mine?

But all that being said, I still believe the enemy has his fingerprints all over the heart of this celebration. His desire is to distort and distract any worship of our Lord. The passionate pilgrims and the disgusting drunks are just that - distortions and distractions. The enemy is smart. He knows man was created to worship and he will do whatever it takes to make sure that it’s not God. Satan is interested in promoting the worship and honor of a dead man over that of our heavenly Father far more than he is in the sheer numbers of people passed out on the streets from too much to drink. They’re merely an amusement. No, I believe that the enemy of our souls wants to deceive and this “celebration” is just another way to do so.

So tonight, I’m sad. I’m sad that we didn’t get to have our class today. Sad that we missed seeing Miguel and Elizabeth. But more than that, much more than that...I’m sad that there are thousands and thousands of people here, in this city that is now my home, who are deceived in to believing that an old carved piece of wood has the ears to hear their cries, a heart that desires to minister to their wounded spirits or the power to do either. There are so many hurting people here, so many who need to know Jesus…the Jesus Who died for them, Who lives for them and Who loves them, the Jesus Who wants to draw them close to Him, to shelter them, to gather them as a hen gathers her chicks, the Jesus Who is the Way, the Life and the Truth, the Jesus Who is the only way to the Father, the Jesus Who shares His glory with no other. Please, please, pray for our people. They have been deceived in to worshiping "Dagon". (1 Samuel 5)

"You shall have no other gods before me. You shall not make for yourself an idol in the form of anything in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the waters below. You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God, punishing the children for the sin of the fathers to the third and fourth generation of those who hate me, but showing love to a thousand {generations} of those who love me and keep my commandments. Exodus 20:3-6