I stood in the doorway of the church, watching the people gather in the street to look at the beautiful display of street carpets (alfombras) made from flowers and colored sawdust. What took hours throughout the night to create, would soon be trampled by the Catholic processions. It was Holy Week (Semana Santa) and thousands gathered from around the world to participate in the three days of Easter celebration.

Our family was leading The Community Church of Antigua, which later became an outreach center. Our team had decide to hold a two-night evangelistic outreach at the church. Our plan was to show the Jesus Film in Spanish. At the time, we thought it was a perfect place and opportunity for the event. The church doors open up like huge gates directly onto the cobblestone street.

We started with great anticipation, but our first night ended with disappointment. We had prayed and fasted, but only two people had entered the church to watch the film. We questioned whether our plans were right. We all decided to show the film one more night.

Darkness fell over the city, as different Catholic churches paraded their dead statue of Christ, concealed in a glass coffin. It was Friday night, the time for grieving, as they proceeded to the place of burial. They shoved the eager crowds back. Candles were passed out, along with written prayers to be recited. The death march began with hundreds of men that resembled the Klan, wearing black and white hoods. They were lead by the priests who were swinging smoking incense throughout the street. It was considered an honor to carry the heavy procession barges, weighing 1,700 pounds, displaying the seven cries of Christ.

We were unaware which street the procession would be traveling on. To everyones surprise, the moment they passed by our church the statue of Mary fell over onto the barge. This was a very serious problem and the procession came to a halt in front of our church doors. One by one, young men dressed in dark hoods entered the church. The church was now full. Shortly after, the statue of Mary was repositioned on the stage of the barge. It had been just enough time for the film to catch the attention of the hooded men. They refused to return to their positions and refused to carry the statues any further until the end of the film. They sat on the church floor with eyes fixed on the screen, as they watched the life of Christ for the first time.

John gave an invitation as the film finished. Many chose Christ as their Savior. That Good Friday night, God chose to stop a 1,700-pound barge with a statue of Mary and of a dead Christ, carried by 200 men, to open their ears and eyes to His living love. Many had never heard the whole story of the cross and a risen Savior.

At a time when I am overwhelmed by the suffering due to COVID-19, I am also reminded of how God provided a way for suffering to end by giving His only son as a sacrifice for our sins.

Below is a recent quote from my son who was there that Good Friday night in Antigua where an Easter miracle happened!

Happy Easter! – Deborah Sims

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There was a day and an age when it felt like all hope was lost. It may have seemed like the darkness had won. But God in all his love and glory prevailed! It is the greatest day in all humanity! The day sin and death were conquered forever and God’s love reigned supreme! A verse in Romans that has encouraged me during this time says this:

“So now I live with the confidence that there is nothing in the universe with the power to separate us from God’s love. I’m convinced that his love will triumph over death, life’s troubles, fallen angels, or dark rulers in the heavens. There is nothing in our present or future circumstances that can weaken his love. There is no power above us nor beneath us— no power that could ever be found in the universe that can distance us from God’s passionate love, which is lavished upon us through our Lord Jesus, the Anointed One!” Romans 8:38-39 TPT

Nothing can separate us from His love. Nothing. This is good news! – Nathaniel Sims