Bird`s eye view

In honor of Mother`s Day, we traveled to Riobamba (about 3 hour bus ride) to be with Ivan`s grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, and other immediate family.  It was decided that to celebrate we would buy, butcher, and roast a pig.  I`m not quite sure who decided that but it was a done deal.  Friday night, a truck rolled up to the house and they unloaded the unlucky pig into the pen.  There was a lot of bantering amongst the family of who would do the deed come morning.
God in His great mercy spared me the sight, I was however awakened by the squeals and cries of the pig before it was all over.  Although, really that`s when everything got started.  It was a somewhat interesting process, I will not go into details, nor did I get a front row seat for it all, but it is certainly a day`s affair.  They waste nothing.  They use everything. 

Cleaning the pig

As I squirmed in my shoes watching the process and many times averted my eyes, I thought about the days when animal sacrifices were required by the people in order to be cleansed.  How thankful I am that we no longer need to offer sacrifices of blood to be in right relationship with God!
²⁷ Unlike the other high priests, he does not need to offer sacrifices day after day, first for his own sins, and then for the sins of the people. He sacrificed for their sins once for all when he offered himself.  Hebrews 7
Hallelujah!  Once and for all, the sacrifice has been paid!  We left Saturday night on the bus and I could still smell the effects of butchering the pig on my clothing, even though I was always standing a good couple of feet away!  Because even though the pig was dead and gone, its stench would stay with me until I took a shower and changed my clothes.  I think it`s sometimes the same way with sin.  You can cut a certain sinful habit out of your life but if you don´t clothe yourself in something new, the old stench will stay with you.  How do we clothe ourselves?  Draw near to God.  Meet with other believers.  Love and encourage others. 

¹⁹ Therefore, brothers and sisters, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, ²⁰ by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, his body, ²¹ and since we have a great priest over the house of God, ²² let us draw near to God with a sincere heart and with the full assurance that faith brings, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water. ²³ Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. ²⁴ And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, ²⁵ not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.  Hebrews 10