December Reflection

A Christmas tree in the barrio.

I'm sitting in the airport, preparing for a journey back home-home;  to borrow a system used by a friend to designate home in the states from home where God has placed her for a season. Last night, I let out a yelp of anticipation as I thought about my next shower would be a hot shower! Woo-Hoo!!  I wish you could have seen the big cheesy grin at the thought of a hot shower. Oh, and how I'm looking forward to seeing my family and friends. 

As I think about the last 3 months, I'm amazed and so grateful for the warm welcome that I have received in Santiago.  I was invited to a Christmas service last night at a house church in Santiago and it was absolutely the best way to wrap up this first trimester of my journey.  We clapped, sang, danced, played and basted in the warmth of that humble place and in the joy of Christ. How awesome!  Today, I can't stop thinking about the warmth that lit the room, the laughter in the kitchen as we all chipped in to get dinner prepared,  the children who sang with reckless abandon, and the little faces that ran to greet me. 

The anticipation of going home to 'home comforts' has been building the last 3 weeks, but in that moment I experienced a sweet peace. Christmas is often such a hurried, worried, busy time and I'm delighted to have been able to enjoy a slower pace this year.   From  the mananita -  drumming and Christmas carols at 5am, to learning new Christmas songs, and new vocabulary in Spanish to share the story of our  Savior's birth, this Christmas season has been unlike any other.  So, as I return to the states and re-immerse myself into old Christmas traditions,  I pray that the true and most meaningful parts of Christmas will be what shines brightest in my life. The value of family and friends and time spent together, the birth of a Savior, who is the Great Hope, and the importance of serving others and not aborting the vision that God has for each of us here on Earth are all at the heart of Christmas. 

The kindergarten class.... I love these children! 

I imagine that at the end of this vacation, it will be tough to say good bye once again to family and friends. I have this picture of myself and the 18 kindergartners (2 were absent this day) to remind me of why I'm here, in Santiago. God has blessed me to be able to plant seeds in the lives of these little ones but they have taught me so much more, in the sweet innocent way that only kids can do.  They really are an amazing group of little ones.  As we go into the second half of the school year, perhaps, you would want to contribute to some of our classroom needs??!! I brought an extra empty suitcase home in the hopes that we can fill it with classroom supplies. If you can help, please check out our needs on the wishlist tab by clicking here.   

Merry Christmas and God Bless You!

Jewel

November in pictures

It's amazing how quickly things have shifted into full gear. Lesson plans, Bible memory verses, craft activities, clinic schedule and the list goes on and on. I haven't posted many pictures lately, so I thought I would do a highlight of November via pictures!


We have a teen helper at school who is such a blessing. It's nice to have an extra pair of hands to help out and especially someone as sweet and loving as this young lady. She came over one afternoon for a special outing and we had a fun time baking pumpkin bread!










At school, we were blessed to have students from the 9th and 10th grade Bible class at Santiago Christian School onsite at our Cienfuegos school for an afternoon of homework tutoring. Before leaving, the youth took prayer requests from the little ones and had a special time of prayer with them.

Another highlight this month was saying goodbye to avocado season. The last avocado fell, was consumed and thoroughly enjoyed. I tried purchasing avocados at the supermarket and I was so disappointed. It was like eating a bland green cardboard compared to the sun ripened avocados of the last 3 months. On the bright side the first mango has appeared on the mango tree in the back yard! In 2-3 months mangoes will be falling from the skies.... .... at least that's what I'm told.







Lastly, I shared a Thanksgiving dinner with my host family and friends on December 1st. The turkey was yummy and moist (well done Melanie!), homemade mashed potatoes, a green salad and I made my mom's mac and cheese.  We rounded up the night by going around and giving Thanks.


For me, I'm so thankful to be in this country, surrounded with new friends, and the blessed opportunity to share God's love with an amazing group of little ones!

Youth from SCS spent an afternoon with some of our afterschool kids!