Christmas in Mexico!
It may look like Christmas inside, but notice out the window to the left of the tree...no snow! The tree is a fake tree--OK, maybe better said, “artificial,” but it’s not too bad for the first one we’ve ever had in our lives.
It is a little different celebrating here in Mexico, not just for the weather but other things as well. Most of the celebration happens on Christmas Eve. We went to bed late last night with lots of loud music and fireworks going off all around us. Christmas morning, Walmart was open for business and the lady down the street was making orange juice.
Our Christmas week
Josh Abeln came down from Camp Forest Springs to visit us (well, really to meet us and visit Kerra). So we did a bit of sight seeing. First, a visit to El Monte and a walk around the property looking at where we want to develop the next camping area.
There was volleyball at our house on Sunday and here’s a few of the onlookers.
Monday we went to the Xochicalco (So-chi-cal-co) pyramid ruins.
The next day, we went to Tepoztlan for some souvenir shopping and to hike up a beautiful mountain and see another small pyramid.
It was quite a hike up and down the stone steps.
We did make it and the view was a little hazy, but still amazing!
This tree is growing over the rocks along the path.
Christmas Eve, we went back to El Monte to see a few more of the things off the beaten path.
The tree house…
One of the caves…
Then there was a very special Christmas Eve service at church. Kyle played guitar on the worship team and Joelle helped with the children’s special music.
Peter and Joelle sang “O Come, O Come Emmanuel” in Spanish with some of the other missionary kids. They did an amazing job with the harmony--it was really beautiful!
This special service was held on our upper lot where the church is slowly but surely constructing a new worship center.
Afterward was a huge feast, but as the evening went on, it got really cold. Here’s one of our missionary teammates trying to keep warm.
I was so glad to see my friend Marcelo come. He’s a gardener in our neighborhood that I’ve befriended. He doesn’t go to church, but came last night and we had a good time together. I’m just sorry I didn’t think of taking a picture with him.
Christmas morning, we all got up to say goodbye to Josh. He had to fly to Minneapolis today (right into that huge snowstorm) so he can be back for Wintertainment at Camp Forest Springs.
Posted by on 12/25
(6) Comments • Permalink
Recent Responses:
Says:
12/26 at 10:45 AM
Another great post Paul. Thanks for sharing all of the pictures.
Says:
12/26 at 01:20 PM
I’m glad to hear about your Merry Christmas and to see all your pictures. Thanks for staying in touch. We miss you guys but know God is working through you there.
Says:
12/26 at 06:55 PM
We are so thankful for internet. Thank you for sharing your story. What a blessing!
Says:
12/27 at 06:20 PM
Me alegra mucho ver lo que Dios esta haciendo con ustedes y cómo los está usando para su ministerio y su gloria. Esperamos verlos pronto!
Says:
12/27 at 08:57 PM
Wow! What an amazing work the Lord is doing through your efforts at El Monte! It sounds like you enjoyed a wonderful Christmas together. You are always in our thoughts and prayers. May God bless you abundantly in 2010. Happy New Year!
Says:
12/25 at 09:51 PM
It might not look like Christmas in Mexico but then again I don’t think it snowed in Bethlehem! Thanks for the pictures