"Maybe Christmas", he thought, "doesn't come from a store. Maybe Christmas... perhaps... means a little bit more!" -Dr. Suess (The Grinch)

This Christmas has been many things, most of all, different.  This year instead of rushing in and out of stores and malls on the Saturday before Christmas, we waded through blowing dust and animal dung into packed markets. With a native Nica missionary as a guide, we navigated through the confusion.  Our mission was to buy a present for each child at a small orphanage.  All the booth owners, who were separated by plastic garbage bags, yelled what they are selling as we walked through.  It was hot and crowded (almost as bad as Walmart).  

We noticed that prices on even the low quality "dollar store like options" were very expensive.  If a person earns $2 a day, they would have to spend a days wages or more just to buy an imitation soccer ball!   It would be as difficult for a parent to buy their child a bike as it would if you wanted to purchase a Harley motorcycle for your kid!  When you consider the wage to price relationship, it's staggering. We are so proud of our kids who chose to give gifts to other kids this year, kids who wouldn't normally receive any, in place of receiving themselves.

It's hard to believe, but Nicaraguans actually start decorating for Christmas even before Americans do. It's even harder to believe, but their decorations are much gaudier. Christmas isn't just limited to red and green, that would be too sad, it includes all the colors, especially bright neon shades.  I'm embarrassed to admit I had the thought, when I saw all the decorations in late August, 'Why are they so excited when they can't even buy that much?'.  I guess my consumerism runs deep.  Our norm used to be filling our living room full of presents, about a dozen for each child. We used to keep adding little things to the pile right up until Christmas, until it was rather obscene. As a Christian, we can say it's not all about the gifts, but it's so hard not to get caught up in that part. 

The focus really isn't on buying down here. It's about grand feasts with chicken, vegetables, and fried cheese (all a special treat) eaten with your whole family. It's really all about the nativity. Santa scarcely plays a role at all.  We noticed that many families give gifts before Christmas Eve. When we asked why they didn't wait, they said first of all, it's hard to hide in their houses and secondly, they wanted to be able to focus completely on Jesus when Christmas arrived. Almost everyone's plans include church on Christmas Eve, followed by fireworks, and for some, dancing until dawn. 

It was fun to be observe and create new Christmas traditions. Our local church invited us to be a part of the fiesta for the niños on the afternoon of the 24th.  This group of children included some of Stacy's preschool students. The children received ice cream, cookies, and gaseousa (soda). They had two piñatas full of candy (a necessity for every good party) and a gift for every child in the community who came.  Watching a church full of kids receive gifts is SO much fun! For many of these kids, this was their only gift. 

We got away as a family on Christmas morning to Ometepe Island. Stacy's grandmother had sent some money for the family and we had been wanting to explore this place for some time. We hiked through rain forests, swam in volcanic springs, and enjoyed some much needed family time together.  It was incredibly relaxing, until Amelie ate a bee with her fruit at breakfast one morning. It stung her on the tongue, which immediately swelled so much she couldn't swallow the benadryl we tried to give her.  After a few frantic moments where our Spanish failed us due to our extreme panic, we discovered there was not a hospital on our side of the island. All we could do was pray, but it was enough and the swelling went down as quickly as it came on. It was great proof that God is watching over us. We know many of you pray for our protection and we appreciate it more than we can say.

New Years Eve celebrations weren't a disappointment either.  Here they like to make a straw man to burn at midnight.  This symbolizes the passing of the old year/old man.   Even if you fall asleep early on New Year's Eve, you can be sure to be awakened in time for midnight.  Everybody sets off fireworks at the same time all over the place and it sounds like an enormous battlefield. 

This year has been amazing.  We have learned so much and God has stretched our faith in many ways. We are thankful for all the quality people God has put in our life this year.  Stick with us, this year promises to be another great year of changes, learning and growing in God.  Keep praying for us as we continue to learn Spanish and accomplish God's will.  We are ready for the adventure God has for us in 2013!