A quick update on the last few weeks:
A few weeks ago we were supposed to go to a bingo at our church to raise money. We showed up on Saturday night only to find that the power was out in that section of town. After talking it over for a few minutes, we decided to invite the 30 or so people that were waiting in the dark back to our house, which still had power, and hold the bingo there. Everyone picked up the church benches and the bingo prizes and started a procession back to the volunteer house. We started setting up for the bingo in our courtyard as more and more people filed in. Soon the 30 or so people at the church had multiplied to almost 200. I think when people heard that the bingo was at or house, they all wanted to attend because they were curious to see what our house looked like. Bingo night at the volunteer house ended up being one of the most fun nights of the year and the church was grateful for our help. I guess we probably should have asked permission from our boss before inviting the whole town over to our house. Oops
On Christmas Eve the 6 of us from Arbolito will be participating in a reinactment of the nativity scene. I am playing Joseph, which means I get to grow a beard and don´t have to talk, but I do have to carry a real baby, which is making me a little nervous. We have been practicing a lot and will hopefully be ready for next week. We all feel very out of place going to nightly play practice with a bunch of high schoolers, but it should be an interesting experience.
We have a week free to travel between Christmas and New Years and we wanted to go on an expedition through the rain forest. Unfortunately, a volcano started erupting right near the town we were supposed to go to. We have made back up plans, but it has been a little frustrating. If its not a coup attempt its a volcano eruption that ruins your travel plans. That is Ecuador for you I guess.
I hope everyone has a great Christmas. I will miss all of you and you will be in my thoughts and prayers this holiday season. If anyone would like to give me a gift, they can make a donation in my name to Rostro de Cristo and/or Damien House (the links are on the right). Have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. Thanks for reading!!
I wish I had a dime for every time I"ve heard the old "my-Christmas-was-ruined-by-a-volcano" story. I could have financed a semester on that one! Now the coup, that's got something to it at least! Know that we are all thinking of you, and that I will save you some homemade wine (if your Mother allows me) on Christmas Morning. God Bless! Jim Gibbons
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