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| Even at Christmas, there's always space for dessert. Clockwise from left: KC, Amanda, Claudia, Emma, Sara, Kenny, Maicol |
As I was posting last week, there were but a few hours remaining until the church's Christmas celebration, into which a whole month of thorough planning and preparation had gone. As a band, we'd been on Christmas carol overdrive since mid-November, and children and young people from various church ministries had spent weeks rehearsing their own individual slots in the programme. But as far as we were concerned, the big fear wasn't a mis-step in a group dance number or a bum note on the guitar. It was the thought of opening our doors to the community in such a big way and seeing nary a new face in the congregation.
However, things were looking good early on with several relatives of the participants seated some 30 minutes before the service began. Indeed, by the end of the service, we reckon there were as many as 25 first-timers sat among the jam-packed congregation on Saturday afternoon. Through the congregational singing, the various rehearsed items, and Kenny's message, sprinkled in small doses throughout, the glory of 'Immanuel' was proclaimed loud and clear. It was a wonderful way to bring the year to a close.
We are now used to expecting a bit of an emotional rollercoaster here at Christmas time, but weren't really prepared for what lay in store on Sunday. Our guard dog, Arturo, ran away during the night and was nowhere to be seen anywhere in the neighbourhood on Christmas morning. For me it was a mild frustration; for Amanda, who is pretty attached to the dogs, the worst possible start to Christmas Day. The mood was lifted a little by a Christmas morning brunch and some Skype sessions with friends and family, and we did our best to rise above it as we headed over to the home of our next-door neighbours and fellow missionaries, Kenny & Claudia.
The mood was certainly lifting as Amanda, Claudia and KC prepared dinner while Kenny, Maicol and I snacked in front of the Queen's Christmas message. And dinner itself could hardly have been bettered, as we tucked into a glorious turkey (courtesy of KC's parents -- hats off) and correspondent trimmings (including my own effort at chipolatas). We could hardly have been happier -- that is, until Kenny leapt off his chair, pointed at the window and exclaimed "Arturo's back!" An avowed dog-hater, Kenny's excitement did little for his street-cred, but Amanda's Christmas wish had come true.
A sumptuous dessert selection amid an evening of party games, old (Risk) and new (a 'Just Dance 3' session with eyewatering blackmail potential), rounded off a great day with our missionary family -- easily my favourite Christmas Day of the three I've so far spent here.
We went back to our work at the Foundation on Tuesday, though with so many taking their holidays just now, things are eerily quiet. A good opportunity to plan for the year ahead, then, and an even better opportunity to spend time with our fellow staff members, while we are so low in number.
Midnight is no hour for old fogeys like ourselves, so the young people are taking the reins for the annual new year's celebration which will take place tonight at the church, with the proverbial bells due to peal at 11pm in Toronto and 4am in the UK, apparently a whole 365 days since last time. I don't believe it for one second. Perhaps I'll get my money's worth in 2012. It is a leap year after all.
Prayer
- For all those newcomers at the church last weekend, that the message of Immanuel would linger long in their memories and that we would see them again soon at the church.
- For a deepening in our relationships with fellow staff at the Foundation as we work together in this quieter period.
Praise
- For a great Christmas weekend, in so many respects.
- The dates have changed, but God's faithfulness hasn't. Give thanks for His goodness to us over these past exciting twelve months.
¡Feliz año nuevo!
Craig & Amanda
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