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"

Thanksgiving

Happy Thanksgiving!

I was able to celebrate Thanksgiving with some other American missionaries who live here in Valle, as well as some Hondurans. We had a very large amount of traditional Thanksgiving food...including a turkey. It was a blessing to spend the day with them.

Graduation 2010

On Friday we celebrated the graduation of 12 sixth graders. They successfully completed their first six years of education, and will be moving on to the public high school for the next 6 years of school.

I had the privilege of being a "madrina" for one of the girls.

And here's a pic of Jennifer and me.

For the graduation ceremony I worked with a group of the youth to prepare and perform a drama. Below is some pics the drama that we did. I have seen this drama performed with the song "Everything" by Lifehouse. I found a copy of the song in Spanish..and so we used that version as the words are very powerful as well.... I've been trying without success to upload the video of the drama, so we will have to settle with just photos.

On Saturday we had a dental brigade from the States come and check the kids' teeth. I was translator (and in some cases comforter) for the extractions station...I got to see a bunch of shots and teeth being taken out. I also had the privilege of having an American dentist check my teeth for free! I count it as a blessing--knowing how much it costs to have that done in the States. :-)

Youth Retreat--Campamento

CAMPAMENTO 2010

This weekend was amazing. 26 youth and 6 adults spent the weekend at a youth retreat planned especially for the youth of the Finca. God worked in great ways in the lives of the youth and leaders alike. Lives were changed, memories were made, and we had alot of fun activities and times of laughter as well! God is so good. Please continue to pray for all of us who went to the retreat.

Our Live Sculptures
We have (l-r) the Egyptian bride, the statue of liberty, the warrior, the ballerina and the great "pensador"

 Meal times!

Girls hanging out

Playing volleyball

 Hanging out

Shaving the balloon

Getting messy from shaving the balloons

Sessions

Campfire

The group

Staying out of the sun...haha.

Hanging out

Eating roasted marshmallows...yum!

 Praying for each other

Having fun

"...being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus."

Philippians 1:6

Birthday parties

The past few days were busy with birthday celebrations. On Thursday my house 3 girls planned a surprise party for me. They decorated their room, did a dance and sang, gave me a gift, played a game, had a cupcake for me. It was so special.

Upon entering their room they put icing and confetti on my face.

 
Andrea, me, and one of my presents.

A bunch of the girls.

 

Then Friday night I planned a birthday party for all of the girls at my house. We ate pizza and cake, watched a few movies, had devotions, more presents and more.

Supper

Birthday cake!

Presents

a bunch of the girls

Missionary Retreat

This past week I went to Belize for the EMM missionary retreat. It was great to get together with other missionaries and share about what we are doing and what God is teaching us and doing in our lives.