Where the fire never goes out...

Yesterday David and I took a road trip by ourselves to visit Chichicastenango and Santa Cruz del Quiche. The trip was beautiful; the weather was like a September day in the mountains of Georgia, especially as we drove past apple orchards with small road side stands selling sweet smelling, delicious apples; the roads were good but with muchos curvos peligrosos (many dangerous curves) going up and down the mountain. Arriving around lunchtime we visited a unique hotel restuarant. The courtyard was beautiful and hosted several large (and at times, noisy) parrots. I am glad that we enjoyed our visit because after we received the bill for the meal, we will bypass this place the next time...expensive!





As we walked around town viewing the brilliant colors of the housands of tablecloths, placemats and napkins, wraps, skirts and blouses, we came to the church.

It is on the location of a former mayan temple, destroyed and replaced by the catholics during Spanish conquest. However, the religion has become a mixure of both beliefs...shamans practice their ancient traditional rituals in the midst of the church. Even the original steps were rejected and replaced by steps to represent the days of the mayan calendar.


At the base of the steps the fire continued to burn to appease the evil spirits.


We were approached several times to be carried into the church and led in religious rituals. No thanks, we believe in the one true God in Whom there is freedom and release from fear and death. Sadly many thousands of Guatemaltecos are walking and even worshipping, in the lostness that only Satan provides. Pray that they will hear the Truth that brings freedom and salvation.