My Christmas Week in Review

"Let us be glad and rejoice and give Him glory, for the marriage of the Lamb has come, and His wife has made herself ready." - Revelation 19:7

It's been a very busy but good week. I'll just give a day by day rundown.

Monday: Took my roommate to the airport so she could surprise her parents for Christmas.

Tuesday: Started housesitting for a couple in my ministry. On my way up to their house, I got a call from a friend who asked if I would help with Christmas preparations for his ministry. After getting settled in the house, I went and spent the rest of the afternoon stuffing stockings and wrapping gifts.

Christmas Eve: Back to my friend's ministry. I helped with final preparations and gift wrapping. I also just hung out with the guys. That evening, I got to experience a traditional Honduran Christmas in the city. The evening was filled with the sounds of firecrackers going off at regular intervals. That lasted until we headed down the hill at 10:30pm where we would be having an 11pm dinner. I helped serve a meal of chicken, rice, salad, bread, and tortillas. Presents were distributed after dinner for a midnight opening. Most Hondurans then stay up the rest of the night. I was dropped off at the apartment where I spent the night and was asleep by 1:30AM.

Christmas Day: After meeting back up with my friend for a cup of coffee, I went back to the house where I was staying to feed the animals. I had a little problem with the neighbor's dog (which I was also taking care of). He decided to bully the Mission House dog, which was also under my care (I was caring for four dogs and two cats). Not knowing how the dog would respond to me (a stranger), I decided to stay out of it. When the dogs had finally calmed and were in their own yards, I went back to my friend's ministry. Together, we spent the afternoon cooking a traditional North American Christmas turkey dinner, complete with all the trimmings, for 52 people. It was definitely an all-day project, but well worth it. Everyone seemed to enjoy it. I was exhausted by the end of the evening. I think I finally finished the last of the dishes just a little before 9pm. I said goodnight to everyone and went back to the house.

Friday: I awoke to find there was no electricity. I fed the dogs and had a repeat performance of the neighbor's dog attacking the Mission House dog. Not a good start to the day. I called the couple that runs my ministry's Bridge House, and decided to spend the day with them. After lunch, I drove down to the Bridge House and chatted with my friends there. We ran some errands in the afternoon, got a pizza for dinner, and watched a movie while eating. After dinner, I spent the evening playing King's Corner and Uno with the ministry boy that lives with them. He beat me most games.

Saturday: I returned to the ranch. It was a nice quiet day at home.

Today: I drove the parents of one of my teachers to the airport after playing piano at church. Since they had over an hour wait after checking in, I left them there and returned to the church. I got there just in time for the closing benediction. I had time to visit with some friends, and then went to lunch with my friend, his ministry boys, and their visiting group. I left lunch early to go back and pick up the teacher from the airport. We got groceries, and then drove back to the ranch. I had just enough time to put groceries away and get changed before starting to cook dinner for the House of Timothy. I made them two roasted chickens, potatoes with cheese, and corn. Actually, the house dad made the canned corn. :) The House of Timothy consists of six teenage boys, but only five were there tonight.

So that's been my week. I had a really nice Christmas, probably the best since being here in Honduras. I hope that everyone reading this had a wonderful, Christ-centered Christmas as well.