We were very excited when Godofredo decided to give his life to Christ. He is the husband of Elvira who was baptized at the beginning of the year. Although he was a Catholic priest for many years before he married, he has not been a practicing Catholic for awhile. He has been studying with different members of the team for over a year but this year especially he took time with Pancho. This couple has a desire to love and serve God. Please pray for both of them as they continue their journey.
In August Bolivia celebrated it's independence day, but it is also a very big holy month for Tarija. On August 15th there is the pilgramige to the Virgin of Chaguaya that last for a month with different celebrations, marches and masses. The main activity is a pilgrimage that will start one day and end the next as people walk the 41 miles from the city of Tarija to a small town where there is a chapel dedicated to this Virgin as it is said that she appeared to some people there in the 1700's. It is estimated around 20,000 people from old to young take this pilgrimage each year but especially during the month of August. It is normally to make a requests of the Virgin for the health of a loved one, to get out of difficult economic situations, to ask for answers to a problem and to seek blessings in he coming year.
Along with he celebration to the Virgin of Chaguaya, is the festival of San Roque, the patron saint of Tarija. I explained some of his story in a blog last year, but he is credited with stopping a plague through his prayers in the 14th century France. He is also the patron saint of dogs. "Chunchos" (the dancers for San Roque) make pilgrimages from the main cathedral of San Roque in the middle of the city to different neighborhoods and churches during the month long festival. There can be up to 3,000 "chunchos" in the procession not including people who play instruments and those who follow along. These festivals are also to show devotion and ask for blessings of health, economy and to solve problems.
Please continue to pray for the church here and the mission to spread the Gospel. There is movement with people but it is hard for many to put a priority in seeking God and to let go of traditions they have held for so long.
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