HARVEST FESTIVAL IN ZONGOZOTLA ~Oct.22, 1963

Zongozotla Church At Work. ~by Loren Ediger

October 22, 1963, was designated as Harvest Festival in the Zongozotla church.  We were invited to take part in the festivities of the day.

A Believer in Zongozotla Reading a portion of the Gospel

Mrs. Ediger had too many duties at home so 4-year old Tommy was to go instead.  This was a four-hour walk from our station.(however they did take Rick) We went on Saturday, had a few minutes fellowship and a delicious meal with the pastor Miguel Cano and wife Aurelia.
We began hearing music played over the transistor loud-speaker, announcing the services to the villagers.

Miguel & Aurelia Cano

The entire day had been set aside to decorate the church and bring in the tithes and offerings of corn, bananas, oranges and squash.
As we entered the church we were amazed at the colorful decorations.  Practically every inch, nook and corner of the walls and ceilings were carefully arranged and draped with forest vines and agricultural product brought as offerings.

Tommy

Last minute stragglers, both men and women were still coming, caring their “huacals”  (Indian back packs) heaped with corn.
 THE PIONEER BACK PACK: The Huacal, a foldable basket, joined at the bottom, loved for the bouncy,comfortable ride on someones back on one of those long trail journeys.

   They came down the aisles to a large side room from the platform where they emptied their baskets.  This room , the main Sunday School classroom had been previously emptied of its furnishings to make room for the corn.

The benches had been stacked outside under the lean-to where we had “Rick” our little mare tied.
Some of the corn was set aside at our feet in the aisle.  I asked Porfirio Cano, leader of the Young People’s group about this.  He said these were special offerings of the young people, who were keeping their gifts separate to purchase a church organ.

Ed with Rick

The church was rapidly filling up, but the floral vases were still empty.  Just then six young girls marched in with beautifully arranged bouquets.  These were handed to one of the deacons who put them in the vases in different parts of the platform.

Soon the large clock on the wall chimed 7 o’clock, the Victrola playing Gospel records stopped, and the accordion began playing for the opening song.

ANDRES

  The song service in both Spanish and Totonaco preceded the opening message given by Ricardo Salvador of Puebla.
Sunday was a big day as delegations came from three other villages, Among them were about 20 from the Totonac village of Ixtepec, significant in that the Zongozotla church had sent Andres Garcia, church missionary and Andres Ponce musician, to establish the work there several years ago.

Totonoc men, Believers, hacking away the vegetation with their machetes to clear a spot for a prayer meeting in the forest.

During the day several special vocal numbers were presented under the direction of the Sunday School leaders: Tomasa Cruz, Rogelia Cano, Maria Hernandez and Natalia Cano.

Tommy

Highlight of the day was the prayer of dedication for the tithes and offerings given.  This, besides the

Totonoc women preparing a meal in Zongozotla

 coffee tithes in the spring, amount to the main income of the church.
In the budget will be a new church auditorium planned on an adjoining site recently purchased.  The present building is to be used for classrooms.

Help from the Lord was asked in these plans for the Sunday School, and for the five teachers.  They also prayed asking for wisdom and guidance in the advancement of the Gospel to new villages. 
Our visit to Zongozotla came to an end causing us to realize anew the potentialities there are in consecrated and sacrificing laymen and prepared leaders.

Tomasito, el Mexicanito

Note:  Miguel Cano, wife Aurelia, Tomasa Cruz and Andres Garcia are graduates of our Bible Training School in Tamazunchale,

Miguel and Tomasa also having attended the Cuautempan Hostels/Homes.  All other nationals mentioned in this article with the exception of the special speaker attended the Cuautempan Hostels.      

Harvest Festival in Zapotitlan

You may all be wondering why Tommy went with Dad on this village trek.  It was likely that the three oldest of us was at missionary school and Dad remarked to me, how he even allowed it but they could have just both ridden the horse at that time.  We did not always have a horse.