Creepiest Day ever. I always dread this day here in the Philippines. In America, we have Halloween. Little kids dress up like Casper and ask for candy. Here, it is more than just a holiday, but a twisted, warped belief system. It is called All Saints Day or Day of the Dead. Every Filipino family goes to the grave yard and begins their strange ritualistic prayers and activities for their dead loved ones. They bake foods and bring them for theie dearly departed to "eat". The graveyards are all cram-packed full of people, flowers , TONS of candles and food. They begin to say their prayers that will help their loved ones get out of pergatory and into heaven.
There was a priest here in Bolosan "teaching and guiding" the people on what to do there. Ferd stood to listen and was shocked at some really weird things that this guy was saying. He said that tonight ( Nov.1) all the dead will rise and start wondering around. They will take their food and offerings, and we need to pray hard for them to be able to pass on into heaven.
Sean was laughing when Ferd told us about this, and yes...it is humerous to think that people honestly believe that. But, once you get over the craziness of their beliefs, you are left with lost souls. Souls who are still here on earth. Souls that are blinded by traditions and superstitions. Their loved ones are gone, with no hope. But they are still here, and have a hope. But will they accept Christ before it is too late...or continue in their blindness? We have alot of work to do here in Bolosan and by God's grace, we will keep pointing them in the right direction.
There was a priest here in Bolosan "teaching and guiding" the people on what to do there. Ferd stood to listen and was shocked at some really weird things that this guy was saying. He said that tonight ( Nov.1) all the dead will rise and start wondering around. They will take their food and offerings, and we need to pray hard for them to be able to pass on into heaven.
Sean was laughing when Ferd told us about this, and yes...it is humerous to think that people honestly believe that. But, once you get over the craziness of their beliefs, you are left with lost souls. Souls who are still here on earth. Souls that are blinded by traditions and superstitions. Their loved ones are gone, with no hope. But they are still here, and have a hope. But will they accept Christ before it is too late...or continue in their blindness? We have alot of work to do here in Bolosan and by God's grace, we will keep pointing them in the right direction.
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