Easter Sunday Parade!

April 4, 2010
While I’ve been here, I’ve seen so many instances of the Maoists, Nepali Congress, and other people striking or picketing in the streets. I had never seen the Christians cause a commotion, until today...

Easter Sunday started with a 5:30 church service at the church. We sang a few songs, read a passage of Scripture, and had boiled eggs and pastries for breakfast. It was a relatively short service, and since our usual services are on Saturday, there weren’t many people there (that and the fact that when you have church and the sun hasn’t begun to come up yet, well, that’s early!). We finished, and about 6:45 we walked out to the main road with “Happy Easter,” “He is Risen,” and a number of other signs in our hands. We also had a big banner which two people carried in the front, a lot like those ones football teams run through before their games!

We began to walk down the street in a pack, and soon other churches were joining us. There were grandparents and children, songs and dancing, speakers and microphones. All while walking down the street! I knew our final destination, Ratna Park, but I had no idea how we were going to get there. Well, soon, our one church march down the street became 3, then 5, then 25, then beyond counting! The police were out in full force, making sure no one got hit on the streets while pedestrians looked on in bewilderment. Usually when people walk down the street holding picketing signs, they’re angry about something. But this time, they weren’t at all.

Some churches joined forces all singing the same songs together, some chanted about Jesus being risen, some did friendly competitions with singing to see who could sing louder. Most danced (while walking... pretty amazing, I know!), jumped, shouted, and beamed with joy. Tracts flew from hands, overwhelming those out for their ordinary morning duties. Who are these abundantly joyful people? Why are they so happy? Why are there THOUSANDS of them walking down our streets? Where are they going?

People took photos, shot videos, called relatives and asked us, “Why are you walking down the streets singing?!” And the joyous answer they received was simple, “Jesus is risen and we are saved!” Now, I wasn’t there on Palm Sunday, but I think I have a better understanding of what happened then after seeing the streets of Kathmandu on Easter. Back then I’m sure there were people questioning about the commotion, people dancing, people shouting “Hosanna!” Except for one huge difference: we were celebrating a risen Savior, one who has already conquered over death, and sits enthroned in heaven, while they were celebrating a future Savior, one who was about to face death, and sat on a donkey.

Somehow, it seemed so right: for once, the Christians had effectively stopped traffic across the city, on some of the busiest roads! But we weren’t angry, protesting, or even picketing. We were just celebrating our Risen King. Once we reached Ratna Park, the multitudes streamed in, while a huge praise team on the concrete stage to the side led in worship. I don’t know that I’ve ever felt so connected to Christ on Easter. They were singing hymns in Nepali, but I knew almost all of the English words to the same songs. To be able to sing Christ’s praises with about 95% of the Christians in Kathmandu was amazing! And I know one day we’ll all do the same thing in heaven :).