Bitter Yet Sweet

 

Easter, one of the most sacred seasons in the Christian calendar.  The sweetest time of the year for Christians because our Savior, Jesus Christ, rose to die no more.  And with Christ’s new resurrected life Easter signifies new life for us also.

 

We were invited to celebrate a Passover observance with Jewish friends who made it come to life and gave it even more meaning for us.  Our children, thoughtfully, participated in the meal and realized it was a significant Jewish tradition and sat through the whole Seder.  This is a rich experience they will never forget.

 

We celebrated Easter at a non-denominational church near us where The Lord’s Supper was given and we were in fellowship with fellow believers, some of whom accepted Christ for the first time, a new life.

 

Charles is in the last three weeks teaching the second term (of three) at our partner convention’s recently opened Zambia International Theological College (ZITC).  “The Easter Season and celebrating the fulfillment of the Jewish Scriptures was enriched for me by my current teaching of Old Testament- Pentateuch (the first five books of the Old Testament) and Baptist Beliefs to pastors and other men who are leaders in their church.”  The foundation of the Old Testament with its rich history serves as a constant reminder of who God is, how He brought the children of Israel out of bondage to a new life, and how Christ the Messiah fulfilled all Scripture.

 

The pain and bitterness of Good Friday, sometimes overshadows the sweetness of Easter, but this is the day we cannot forget- He Is Risen!  Easter in these busy, hectic, and fretful social and economic times is an opportunity to seek new life and to put the commercialization aside and concentrate on the real reason for Palm Sunday, Maundy Thursday, Good Friday and Easter Sunday.  Christ by his obedience to death on a cross, and through his resurrection by the love and power of God the Father, is our Passover Lamb.

 

In some parts of the world spring is celebrated as that season that brings in new life.  We are on the other side of the world from many of you and here is Zambia we are not entering spring but, rather, leaving summer. Our rainy season is coming to a close and autumn is beginning.

 

We pray that your Easter was just as meaningful and eventful as ours and we pray that God will show you more of his sweet blessings, during this time.

 

In His Service

The West Family

 

"Behold, the Lamb of God Who takes away the sin of the world!” John 1:29