Christmas is in the air...

...even here in Peru, where the weather is like July and Christmas songs are nearly non existent, and every house on the block is not decorated, and Christmas cards are unheard of....well, I think you get the picture. Christmas here is very different. But in our house at least, we have been able to make it feel a little like it would at home. The other night we put Christmas music playing and made our traditional Christmas countdown bell chain, using Grace's old school papers (we only had to make 14 links...Christmas is almost here already!)...the girls have also made snowflakes, which the Peruvians just don't understand what they have to do with Christmas :P I think having to celebrate Christmas here in Peru is teaching us to be creative with what we have...it is also making us think about what makes Christmas. What makes Christmas for you? Is it the lights, the decorations, the tree, the music, the church programs, the weather, the food? Just something I've been thinking about, especially because we're having to do without many of the normal "Christmas" things.

Our December started out blessed with a visit from Kaleb and two of his friends. Lindsey and I were able to meet them in Lima and take a backpacking trip to Machu Picchu with them. What an amazing experience...the beauty is absolutely indescribable. I'd recommend it to anyone! After the Machu Picchu trip, Kaleb and the rest of us flew back to Iquitos...Kaleb and his friends stayed with us for 4 days. While here, he built us a little sauna (out of plastic tarp)! He found some scrap iron that we heat in a fire till red hot, then we put it in a tire rim inside the little sauna and steam till the heat is gone. Hey, it works! :) It was so nice to just be able to visit with them. Lacey also arrived the day before Kaleb left, so for a day we had an almost-complete family, minus four =p. Yesterday we celebrated Lacey's birthday with volleyball, watermelon, and cake! It is so nice to have Lacey here!

The project is on the homestretch! The bedrooms are really starting to look livable and even inviting now. This week they have been painting and tiling...which, with the ceiling and lights all finished, is bringing it all together. Team Eight left Friday, and we will now have about a month till the LAST team arrives! Wow time flies. During this month, the Peruvian workers will continue on the project, as well as begin building Pastor Jose's house.

Pictures coming soon!
Blessings,
Larinda