Our team was blessed to spend Christmas 2016 with our ministry hosts, Roger & Cori, and their family. It is common in the culture of many Central American countries to spend Christmas similar to the way we spend New Years in the states. Everyone gets together on Christmas Eve for food and fun but 12:00 midnight is the moment everyone is anxiously awaiting. I’m not sure when Santa comes, but at 12:00 am, and not a minute later (maybe even a few minutes prior to), children open their gifts.
Also at the stroke of midnight in Honduras, one will hear, “BOOM! BAM! BANG! POW!”
If you could imagine the most spectacular 4th of July fireworks show, this was 100x better! & to top it off, we had a GREAT view. We were in the heart of Tegucigalpa, the capital of Honduras. From the balcony of Tita’s house (Cori’s Mom), we could see the whole city. Fireworks in every direction you look. Words, pictures, videos – none of them do it justice. It was one of those moments in life when you realize that some things just have to be felt and experienced from a first person point of view, not behind a lens or a screen. It was beautiful!
We even got to let off some fireworks ourselves and play with the kids while sparklers lit up the night.
The next morning (Christmas Day) our hosts took us to downtown Tegucigalpa to explore the capital. The birds at the church in the photo above were like a movie scene – tons of them! & when we walked toward them, they all scattered to fly away. Luckily, none of the birds blessed us with their white “snow” on this Christmas! ;P
It definitely wasn’t home but I think I can speak for my teammates when I say that there was a peace about being away this Christmas Day. We did our own Secret Santa exchange and had some little elves surprise us with cupcakes and other goodies but even without that, I’d be ok with zero gifts this year. No gift could compare to the experiences we’ve shared over the last 3 months and specifically, these days surrounding Christmas.
As we leave Honduras in just 2 days, I reflect on what a gift this month has been. The first two weeks of December, I had the privilege of teaching nine 1st & 2nd grade students alongside my teammate, Sarah. It was probably the most challenging thing that I’ve done in these past 3 months but also one of the most rewarding. God allowed us to share his love and grace with the most disruptive, disobedient children who needed it most. And last week, we had the privilege of visiting the local hospital for ministry. God really spoke that night, as you can read about in my previous blog. 🙂
So, the real gift this holiday season is what some might call cliche, but it’s true. It’s waking up each day knowing that we GET to do the Lord’s work. That He has chosen us to be His hands, feet, and the mouthpiece of His Spirit. This gift is for everyone. You don’t have to be a missionary traveling the world to be His vessel. Pray for the Lord to reveal the ways He can use the talents, skills, and passions you have to live out the calling on your life from right where you are. You’ll be amazed!
“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.” -Jeremiah? ?29:11-13?
& to end this blog:
From your favorite gringas,
We hope you all had a Feliz Navidad!! 😉
