Christmas Parties

"But since you excel in everything—in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in complete earnestness and in the love we have kindled in you—see that you also excel in this grace of giving." 

2 Corinthians 8:7

     This weekend was packed with Christmas celebrations.  On Friday, I made plans with the teen girls that are in prison for the Christmas celebration with them on Wednesday.  Many are very disappointed in the fact that they can't go home and be with their families and not all the girls will have family to visit them. 

     Friday evening, I went to help out with the homeless Christmas Dinner.  It was so nice.  They were given nice warm blankets and some food.  They all seemed to enjoy being spoiled just a bit and having us serve them.  All the young men, involved with the ministry, sat at a different table, so there was one of them with three or more homeless.  I was serving when the seating happened, so my pastor, his wife, and I sat a table together.  There was live music and much laughter.

    Saturday was over all just as busy.  In the evening we has the SIM Christmas Party.  One thing I have learned while being in Bolivia is that I can only handle so much social time before I shut down and need time to myself, usually in silence.  I was well past that point by the time of the party, so I did not participate in the games.  The dinner was good, a lot less sugar than last year.  The white elephant gift exchange was fun, but not as entertaining as last year.  Last year people always wanted the same things.  This year, most of the time people were content to just open presents.
      Sunday, we sang Christmas songs which were nice to hear in Spanish.  It feels very different in Spanish from English.  I also had a surprise.  My friend Angelica brought her three children to church to visit.  It really made my day.  Then, I talked with my parents and opened their Christmas gift to me.  After that, I had tea with Moira, Andy, and Tasha and gave them their Christmas.