Celebrating Christmas at La Finca

Here at the Finca we celebrate Christmas on the 23rd. It was a full day of activities. It unofficially started really really early in the morning when some of the kids found candy hidden in different areas of the Finca property. Then after breakfast the kids received a new outfit, which was picked out previously, and the showers and hairstyling etc began. Around 10:30 we took a big group picture,

and after that we had a program which consisted of a few different music selections, and dramas.

 

 The following clip is part of a song that the chimes group played. (Audrey-this is for you!)

Then, of course, there were pinatas...and this time it wasn't limited to just the younger children...the 18, 19, and 20 year olds were there on the ground scrambling for candy as well.

 

Then we went back into the church for presents!

After presents we all ate Kentuky Fried Chicken in the comedor (dining room).

We relaxed for the afternoon...

...and in the evening we had a campfire, singing, a drama, torrejas (traditional Christmas dessert), roasted marshmellows....

(The following clip is of the group singing a song...its hard to see them because of it being dark-but the sound is really good.)

 ...and enjoyed playing with new toys...

..and had a fun time.

Thank you God for loving us and sending us Jesus and the gift of eternal life with you!

Christmas Party Round 4

Last night I had a Christmas party for the 18 and older kids. It was by far the most calm party that I've had of these rounds of Christmas parties (it was also the smallest group and oldest kids).

Christmas Party Round 3

Last night the leaders from the youth retreat had a Christmas party for the youth. It gave the kids an opportunity to get out of the finca and be in a different setting. We played some games, and Ronal made some amazing tacos.

Christmas Party Round 2

After three weeks of asking me when we were going to have a slumber party, I decided to have my house 3 girls over last night. Despite the late start (due to presenting a drama in a local church) we had a great time. We made cookies (the highlight of my night), ate the cookies with hot chocolate, read the nativity story, and watched a movie. There are many times, at any random time of day, that the girls will ask if they can go to my house to color...something I did occasionally last year. So I gave each of them a coloring book and packs of crayons to share....and now I have various colored pictures on my refrigerator. ;)

Making cookies

 

Anxiously waiting for permission to eat the cookies

 

coloring

 

Movie Time!

Friday morning  80 of the kids from the Finca had the opportunity to go to the movies...provided by HSBC bank. Taking 80 kids to the mall is quite the experience.

The group

Going up....

...and up!

Christmas Party

Saturday night I hosted a Christmas party for the 15-17yr. group of kids. It was a "formal" event, and we had alot of fun playing games, talking and laughing together, eating, and taking pictures.

More Graduations

Today two of the older girls celebrated their graduation from high school. Because they were studying different things they had two different ceremonies. I was invited to Mirna's graduation celebration. How do I begin to describe it? It was a classic example of the Latin culture. I arrived about a half hour after the time it was supposed to start..and then waited another 15 minutes or so till it started. I find it difficult to describe how it is...or even find similiarities between this graduation and one in the States....other than the fact that in both they received a diploma, and family and friends were there to celebrate. The class size was less than fifty, but it still lasted more than four hours. Well, those four hours include the waiting time in the beginning, the ceremony, and then waiting more until the meal was served (I ate supper at about 9:30). The list of differences would be a lot longer...like the very loud music, a power point presentation, a toast, eating a meal together,  and in the eyes of an outsider..a chaotic array of people walking around and talking to each other throughout the ceremony. It was a good time though, and I'm glad that I was able to celebrate with Mirna. This accomplishment was really big for her especially because she is the first one in her family to graduate from high school.

Mirna and Me

Using our imagination

This evening the library was not the popular place to be....but 2 little girls and I had fun pretending to make food using game pieces. We make some great checker-hamburgers. They were very imaginative with making me a birthday cake out of checkers, dominoes, and other random game pieces. It reminded me of my own childhood and imagining up all kinds of things when I played with my siblings and cousins.

 My "cake"