School is out, Christmas cooking has begun, and it's started to rain...
Strange..this Christmas season away from cold, snow, family, and Christmas carols in English. But I know it will hold some special memories of it's own.
I've received three Christmas packages, and through them, I'll tell you about my month..and Christmas plans.
Package #1: I call this one "Michael's Store in a Box"
This package (mailed November 19) arrived December 8th loaded with nice paper, stamps, some Christmas decorations, COOKIE CUTTERS, and a large foam cone (guess what that became?!?).
My second graders LOVED using the stamps to make cards for the orphanage that our class bought gifts for.
Our first memory verse of the year was Joshua 1:9 "DO not be terrified, do not be discouraged; for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go!" At least I can be encouraged that some of them are remembering the verse....one boy, Diego, wrote in his Christmas card the words, "Do not be terrified about your mother and father, have a Merry Christmas!" Hmmmm, second grade application. I love it!Besides the school's orphanage project, the elementary worked hard on their Christmas Program "A King is Coming to Town"; it was a blast to watch them sing their hearts out about the True King of Christmas to a packed audience.
Lets see, what else is in this package?
Christmas cookie cutters: We used these to bake Christmas cookies for the SIM Christmas party. Baking was a small way to get in the mood for Christmas, but STILL, with this hot weather it's just not the same...
And then, to top off the Christmas party, my Bible study and I choreographed a dance to The Twelve Days of Christmas. It may have been a bit if a shocker to some of the missionaries, but then we got them all up to make music videos for their own Christmas songs! Quite the fun night.
Decorations: Remember that foam cone? With a little sprucing up that became our Christmas tree (see the picture farther down). Gold star garland for the tree at my roommates hospital ministry, some decorations to help with the church festivities, all to compliment the Bolivian Christmas specialty: Singing Christmas Lights.
Package #2: "The Box of All Trades"
My church back home, Woodridge, teamed up to send TWO boxes full of things for different ministries here. These boxes were greatly anticipated, especially by the Single Mom's Ministry.
Very Awesome Personalized aprons for the moms (the staff loved to see these). Toys for the kids Christmas gifts. Poppers of candy that the ministry was able to give to the kids in a tribe in Northern Bolivia.
Things for the orphanage, and cool prizes and books for the school.
And myself getting the chance to see a little bit of all the blessings. What a privilege!
It's so cool to see all the ways God is using people all
across the globe to advance His Kingdom...this is just a taste.
Package #3: "Package in Future Tense"
Well....this one I haven't opened yet. I can't until Christmas morning, so says the family. They were so wonderful to send gifts all the way to Bolivia! On top of that, they even gave extra $ for a trip to Machu Picchu. Thank you family!!!
I know this will be a wonderful get-away to see even more of God's amazing world with good friends. What gifts he has given us through His creativity!
This Christmas, may the King and Gift-Giver be THAT for you.
"Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of
Lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. He chose to give us birth by the word of Truth, that we might be his very best and prized possessions."
MERRY CHRISTMAS!
