Blessed Easter Celebrations

We celebrated Easter Thursday evening with a impromptu Passion play - impromptu in the sense that it was unpractised and roles were allocated on the spot. It was a glorious evening: full moon in lovely weather. Here is Jan getting ready for his big role as Jesus.

Niece Eugenie getting ready to be Peter. The F's and we have done innumerable Nativities this way, but this is the first time that we've celebrated Easter like this - and this time it wasn't only the two families, but the whole community was invited. About 40 people took part.

Marietjie and Hendrik. They were supposed to first be disciples and then change into soldiers, but because it was unpractised they did not arrive at the passover table as expected and while we were in Gethsemane I realised too late that they had not put on the soldiers garb... Oh well. They were good soldiers anyway even if they did not have on the right costumes!

The first two girls who arrived were given the parts of the Angels. They too were first just "ordinary" people. My sister Lalie quickly dressed them. She is very used to dressing children for plays: she has made hundreds of costumes for many, many dramas in Salvokop. While I was still at Inkululeko at Salvokop, we used to have an "Easter Drama" every year. Like then, I was this time again the script writer and director, while Lalie provided the leadership, enthusiasm, music and creativity. It was GREAT working together again!

Lalie's husband Gene. He and the radio leader of the community, Ou Piet, were the Pharisees. This was also not new to Gene. Our two families have supported us with all our Easter and other dramas in Salvokop. (Gene and Jan and nephew Jopie were often the soldiers / Pharisees who had to get Jesus off the cross and carry him to the grave because the children actors were not strong enough to do it by themselves!)

We started our Passion play in our garden. The entrance into Jerusalem was celebrated with a group dance that Lalie led. "Side together... forward, back..... Turn" It was good for everyone to be a child in the Lord. After the passover meal we went to my mother's garden - Gethsemane. Her high veranda was the ideal place for Pilate. (I did not take photos because I was too involved with what was going on - the scripture and the songs were highlighted by the eery moonlit garden.) Then we went up the koppie. Here Jansie aka "John" is carrying the C.D. player playing "Via Dolorosa". The music added much to the atmosphere.

Lalie arriving at Golgotha. (The plaque on the rock commemorates my mother's 90 th birthday when she climbed up here and we prayed for her. Every major occassion like our 25th wedding anniversary and the children's 21 st birthdays were celebrated in prayer on these high rocks.)

Jesus on the cross.

The empty cross. The down hill walk began with "O Daar was 'n houtkruis" (Oh there was a wooden cross).

After the dramatisation of Easter Sunday morning and Jesus' last words to his disciples we sang "Ek sien in my gees die glorie en die almag van die Heer" with flags - only then did I again remember that I had a camera.

"Glory Hallelujah!" Praising God for what he did for us - and for what He is and for what is coming!

Afterwards the children had fun freely playing with the flags. The adults had coffee and a braai and talked and talked. One man said that Easter had always been just a long weekend for him, and that this evening showed him what Easter is really about. All said we must do it again...

We sang many wonderful songs, but I think this one is especially relevant for our crime battered community:

Brother let me be your servant
Brother let me be your servant
Let me be as Christ to you
Pray that I may have the grace
To let you be my servant, too.

We are pilgrims on a journey
We are brothers on the road
We are here to help each other
Walk the mile and bear the load.

I will hold the Christlight for you
In the night-time of your fear
I will hold my hand out to you
Speak the peace you long to hear.

Jesus thank you for a wonderful evening! May we all remember the message of Easter:

You are God. You are obedient and humble. You suffered for us. You set an example for us. We are to love one another. We ARE the light and the salt of the earth and we must spread your word. God please bless this community: let love and not fear of crime bind us together.

MAY YOU ALL HAVE A VERY BLESSED EASTER!