From eggs painted crimson or dipped in chocolate, to meals and gatherings that cultivated hope, Mennonite Mission Network workers and associates across the continents reported the various ways in which Christians celebrated Easter, and experienced Christ’s resurrection in their lives.
Despite the cultural differences, many of the traditions would have been familiar to American Christians.
In Japan, Mary Beyler reported the joy of sending and receiving greeting cards.
“We send Easter cards with invitations to Easter worship and meals to people who attend [church] occasionally,” Beyler wrote. “We make Easter eggs to hand out to everyone who attends Easter worship. If there are extras, I have been known to ask for some to share with my own friends or to take to my tea ceremony lesson – a chance to share a little about the resurrection of Jesus in a natural way.”
In Serbia, Lane Stopher celebrated the first of two Easters (March 31 and May 5). This is typically the case with most holy days because both Eastern Orthodox and Western denomination traditions are prominent in the nation, each having their own liturgical calendar.
“Holy Week actually starts with fasting six to seven weeks before Easter,” Stopher wrote. “Good Friday brings church services and is traditionally the day for painting Easter eggs, but usually only in dark crimson red symbolizing the blood of Christ. The first painted Easter egg remains on display in the home the whole next year as a symbolic reminder of Christ’s death, and also as a symbol of health and happiness for the home.”
After church services, people gathered with family and friends for large meals, Stopher wrote.
“During these meals, it is a tradition that each person selects one of the red Easter eggs to compete against one another in knocking the ends of the eggs together, the winner being the person whose egg doesn’t crack,” Stopher wrote. “While an entertaining game, particularly for the children, the breaking of the eggshells holds the deeper symbolism of Christ’s triumphant resurrection, breaking free from the powers of death.”
In the Philippines, Tad Wulliman reported that the nation had virtually shut down for Jesus. On “Black Saturday” before Easter, traffic was light in the city of 20 million people, he wrote.
“From Palm Sunday to Easter, vacations, days off and the like are in high gear,” Wulliman wrote. “Ninety-five percent of all businesses are closed on Maundy Thursday and Good Friday. Churches are active with a variety of services, from cantatas to communion services.”
In China, Don and Marie Gaeddert shared a story of hope regarding a Chinese friend who is participating in a Peace Ship voyage from Tokyo to Hong Kong with students and other travelers, many of whom are Japanese. Many Chinese have not forgiven Japan’s invasion of China in 1931. “His willingness to put himself in the company of Japanese students, all confined on this ship, uncertain of the outcome, signals hope to us,” they wrote.
Janie Blough, a mission worker in France, wrote about the Easter celebration of her very diverse congregation in a suburb of Paris. “Before the sermon, everyone was allowed to choose a piece of fruit,” she wrote. “After the sermon, the opportunity was given to all to proceed to the front of the church and place their fruit in a basket designated as ’Jesus’ followers.’ What a fruit salad of unity in diversity! …yet another modest sign and symbol of God breaking through cultural, racial, and intergenerational differences in the life of our worshiping community.”
Others reflected on resurrection in their own lives. Linda Shelly, Mission Network’s director for Latin America, was in Isla Margarita, Venezuela, with representatives of the Colombia Mennonite Church and Central Plains Mennonite Conference. One of their local Mennonite church hosts, Carlos Velasquez, took them to a popular spot to watch the sun set over the ocean. While there, he reflected on his life before he accepted Christ.
“He said that for 21 years he was on drugs,” Shelly wrote. “His mother told him that there would always be food and clothes at her house, but that he couldn’t continue living there if he didn’t stop using drugs. He started living on the streets and on the beach. Every morning he sat by the ocean and watched the sun rise. One morning while watching the sun, he realized in a deep way that indeed there is a God. He got up and turned his life around.”
In Burkina Faso, Mennonite Church of Ouagadougou also celebrated moving into its own building, reported Bruce Yoder and Nancy Frey.
“The children sang several songs, including ‘Celebrate, Jesus, celebrate,’” they wrote. “The drums kept up a steady beat and at one point continued on for 10 minutes after we finished singing. The joy on the drummers’ faces matched the joy in the congregation. We were reminded at various points during the service that we were celebrating two things at once: first, the resurrection of Jesus, and second, our new church home.”
In Northern Ireland, Jenna and Peter Liechty Martin found themselves eating homemade hot cross buns on Good Friday, and Easter Cake (or Simnel Cake) on Sunday with friends. Both foods are largely British traditions, they wrote. The top of the cake was decorated with chocolate eggs, “one for each of Jesus’ disciples and the women that were there” at his crucifixion.
The Liechty Martins also wrote that they have witnessed God breaking through in the lives of locals who have been suffering because of the economy and other societal ills.
“For us, it was in moments of sitting with those who were experiencing these pains (such as unemployment) and losses that we sensed God at work,” they wrote. “In the ‘sitting,’ whether in a café or around a fire, or in a prolonged sidewalk conversation, we were reminded that we are not isolated individuals, but rather, intricately connected.”
They told of healing that took place prior to Easter during an anti-racism meeting they were helping to facilitate among an inter-church group. A Protestant woman and her family were forced by Catholics to move from their home in a predominantly Catholic area. The woman’s deep wounds were obvious as she shared her story to the group.
“She began to weep,” they wrote. “As the group listened to her story, asked her questions, and simply said, ‘I am sorry,’ we experienced resurrection. In a room of Catholics, Protestants and Anabaptists of Irish, British, Northern Irish, Polish and U.S. Americans … we witnessed new life breaking through!”
They eventually ending the gathering by singing together the song, “Give me joy in my heart, keep me praising, give me joy in my heart I pray … and we will sing Hosanna … to the King of Kings.”
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Mennonite Mission Network, the mission agency of Mennonite Church USA, leads, mobilizes and equips the church to participate in holistic witness to Jesus Christ in a broken world. Media may contact Andrew Clouse at andrewc@mmnworld.net, 574-523-3024 or 866-866-2872, ext. 23024.
