Christmas in a foreign country - sounds glamorous right? I thought so too. And
for awhile it was - new places, new people, new traditions, Christmas carols in
Spanish. Tamales and ponche. Tamales and ponche again. And again. Then
the holiday nears and suddenly everyone is with their families and you're not.
I'm sure plenty of people have experienced this - it's just hard to know how it
will feel until you're in the middle of it. I was instantly very thankful for
years of love and family at Christmas. And honestly, because I'm obsessed with
Christmas movies, I kept thinking of that scene in Home Alone where Kevin prays to have his family back after all the
action has died down. Christmas without your family is difficult, so no matter
how normal or how crazy they may be, be thankful that you have them.
Paseo Cayala in the city
I had thought there would be more
opportunities for ministry – but it turns out that most of the missionaries
that I know here headed to the states, to be with their families too. Now I see
why. And even more headed out of the city to other parts of the country to get
away for awhile. Having only been here 2.5 months, doesn’t leave a lot of
contacts.
But just when I thought hope was lost,
and that I might spend Christmas alone, watching Elf for the third time by my tiny tree, the Lord reminded me yet
again that He’s always with me and knows my needs before I do… Friends from my
church invited me to go to dinner in Antigua with them. My friend Oscar took me
to hear his dad preach at a beautiful Christmas service, full of great worship.
Friends at the Christmas Eve service at my church told me they were praying for
me and that I had a family there while I am away from home. My friend David
asked me to watch the fireworks with his family at midnight on Christmas Eve.
And my friend Berta invited me to spend Christmas Day (and the next couple of
days) with her whole family at her home. Oh how the Lord provides. I’m so
grateful that He cares for me, even when I doubt. I know from now on I will
look out even more for those who need a temporary ‘home’ when away from family
and friends, to show them the love that was shown to me. And I encourage you to
do the same. What a great example of the fellowship we have in Christ.
Church with the Avilas
Antigua at night
Friends from church
Christmas Eve Service
Me & Berta
I did get to help a little bit with one ministry – a Christmas Eve
dinner at Casita Benjamin (where I worked last summer) for families here near the city dump. A youth group sang carols and did a drama of the Christmas story
for the kids. Then, of course, there were tamales and ponche for all. Next came
presents for the kids and baskets of food for the parents. It was a blessing to
bless others on such a special day, especially knowing they would have gone
without those things otherwise. It was definitely good for me to spend the time thinking about serving others when I was missing home so much.
I pray that all of you had a blessed Christmas season – full
of the things that really matter. I am so thankful to a Lord who sent His son
to us so we never have to be alone.
And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:19
