Thy hand hath provided

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