Last Christmas, I was still in the throes of my major life transition, so I don't know that I gained a lot new perspective on the holiday. I enjoyed the cultural aspects of celebrating in another country (remember how many times I said I LOVE fireworks?), but reflecting on our own family traditions, past and present just didn't occur to me. We survived. We got a tree. I didn't cry from homesickness on Christmas Day. Our kids had presents. But this year, feeling more settled and at home here, looking ahead toward being here while most of our missionary friends head north for the holidays, I'm struck by many reasons I am truly thankful as we celebrate here in Guatemala this year.
First, let me say, that trying to maintain an American-style big budget Christmas is obviously not happening. But as we're trying to put together a Christmas that is somewhat traditional for our kids, I'm so thankful for the things I do have. My mom carried down so many nice gifts for our kids. She and my sister-in-law spent a lot of time shopping and choosing things our kids will love and be very excited to receive. I've also been able to bargain shop online for one nice gift for each of the three, and some very kind folks have been willing to receive the shipments and carry them down for us as they come on visits this month. And my dad and stepmother have loaded us up with Amazon store credit, which is great, because almost anything we need from the U.S. we buy from Amazon and then have someone carry down for us. Whether it's seminary books for Chad, electronic parts, books, music, shoes, games or toys for the kids, birthday presents, you name it. If we can't find it here, or pay the exorbitant import cost, we get it from Amazon. As I'm wrapping gifts, I get weepy thinking that our kids will have surprises on Christmas morning that wouldn't be possible without the contribution of many people who love us and are willing to pitch in.
The other thing that stands out to me is that in the U.S., we had a couple of traditions that were my favorites. Evey year we bought gifts and worked at the Reach Out Lakota Christmas shop which helped struggling families in our area, and then we packed three boxes for Operation Christmas Child. We loved choosing these gifts and feeling even a small connection to those strangers who would receive them. Here in Guatemala, we don't have to make an effort to connect with those in need around us. They are friends and fellow laborers who are hard working but still often still lack the means to provide for their families. Buying gifts or providing food for the families of Guatemalan workers that we know personally is a meaningful reminder of our work here. Knowing that CRI is building a house for one of our dearly loved crew members who has never had a home for his family is a powerful, beautiful knowledge. As Americans we consider ourselves "poor" on our meager missionary budget. And our family does survive on a small fraction of our previous two-earner income, but here even that small fraction makes us comparably "rich" to most Central Americans. Living and working among the poor truly redefines economic terms.
So we have a few decorations, more gifts than I could've hoped for, and I was able to find an honest-to-goodness American ham at the grocery store for Christmas dinner. We will watch fireworks and eat tamales with friends, then wake up Christmas morning to cinnamon rolls and gifts. Our work here has meant a pared down version of Christmas as we used to know, but Sterling knows more about baby Jesus than Santa, and our kids don't have the ugly Christmas greed that they once had. We have been able to focus on the spiritual significance of the season and on the beauty of the people and culture around us. Someday, I hope that we will be able to enjoy the Holidays with our family in Ohio. But for now, I will enjoy the balmy sunshine of the tropics, and continue to count our many blessings as we celebrate this year.
Merry Christmas!
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