Filipinos love fiestas. It is a special time with friends, a time for fellowship, food and lots of activities. Villagers will always return home even if they are living or working elsewhere. Each year brings numerous fiestas. Sometimes people are busy for weeks preparing for them. Those facing many problems in their day-to-day life set them aside and participate in the festivities. Relatives, friends and strangers that attend are welcomed into homes to eat and even stay overnight. Most often people borrow money that becomes a heavy burden to pay off throughout the year just to beautify their simple homes and prepare food.
The fiesta is of Spanish origin. Spain, being a Roman Catholic country, set aside certain days to remember particular saints with processions and celebrations. When Spanish missionaries entered the Philippines during the mid-1500s, they found that the fiesta was a convenient tool to help teach Filipinos the Roman Catholic faith.
When the Spaniards came, many communities were given names of saints. Nearly all towns have a patron saint to remember. Town fiestas have many faces. They usually feature a mass and a procession. Long after the religious ritual is completed, people eat, drink and enjoy the rest of the day.
Unfortunately, all too often excessive drinking mars the festivities. Coupled with the fact that there are a large numbers of visitors, there is an increase in crime. Most Christian churches discourage their congregations from participating in fiesta because of the pagan nature of fiesta activities. It goes beyond remembering a saint and seeking to follow in their steps by honoring God. These saints are exalted. Their statues are paraded through the streets. Food and activities are all prepared in honor of the saint. Prayers for blessings are also directed to these saints. It seems much of what takes place is similar to the concerns Paul dealt with in his ministry where idolatry reigned.
It was in the midst of two fiestas in neighboring villages that we held our Vacation Bible School with over 150 children attending. God always shows up and makes Himself known!
Churches throughout the world host VBS for the community children. There are unique challenges for our Hope team that come with ministering to local children who come from very impoverished families. Many little ones have not had a bath in some time. They look forward to ministry time and thrive on the hugs they receive. Staff acknowledges it is not easy but they always come through with a servant’s heart and exhibit God’s love for all they encounter.
Children here are always eager to hear God’s Word. They listen intently. Songs, praise and worship, games and a nutritional lunch for them follows the teaching. These children will often face persecution for attending. They are being called on to stand for their faith at a very young age! Pray for those who gave their hearts to Jesus during VBS and will surely be called upon to live it out in ways we are not familiar with. Our follow up ministry times will be to encourage and disciple them.
We as a ministry are so blessed to have those on the other side of the world put together blessings that are shipped to us in door-to-door boxes. The face of each child lights up as they are allowed to choose a small toy and an item of clothing or shoes to take home with them.
