Things are finally slowing down a little and we´ve got a chance to post some of the things we´ve been doing lately. In the next few days we hope to write about some of the other awesome things that we´ve been involved in lately, but for now, here´s a little bit about our Navidad Paraguaya
This year we had the wonderful privilege of celebrating 
Christmas with a local Paraguayan family, the Genes´s. Aldo Genes is the pastor of the Luque Church of the Nazarene and his wife Fátima Gonzalez de Genes is the District Secretary. This couple has been incredibly hospitable and kind to us and it was a blessing to spend Christmas with them and their extended family.
Christmas traditions here in Paraguay are, of course, a little different than our usual traditions in the States. I do not know what your traditions are like, but with my family it usually involves a Christmas Eve service, late night appetizers and eggnog after the service, opening presents Christmas morning, Christmas omeletes and cinnamon rolls, sitting around most of the day in your pajamas, watching movies, more good eating, and either talking or spending time with family. In Paraguay, Christmas Eve is the grand celebration and Christmas Day is one for relaxing and recuperating from Christmas Eve. We arrived at Aldo´s mom´s house about 10:00 Christmas Eve night, where most of his extended family was gathering, and we began eating about 11:00pm. We had several different types of beef (including tongue), pork, chicken (it would not be Paraguay without several different animals for dinner), vegetables, potatoes, and a fruit salad. All night long there were fireworks going off! People did not understand why there were not many fireworks in the States during Christmas Eve, until we
explained that it is cold there and no one wants to go outside! And then, at midnight everyone said “felicidades” (literally "happyness!") and gave everyone else hugs and kisses. Then they went around to all of their neighbors houses and greeted them as well. Of course, everyone was awake and continuing to set off fireworks. Christmas day was a relaxing time of sitting, talking, drinking tereré, and eating leftovers. We had a wonderful time! Thank you Genes´s!!
PS Below is a picture of Ted´s plate, complete with labels made in MSPaint. If you click the picture you can read the labels better.
1 comments:
I am glad to hear that your Christmas was good. It was interesting to read about the Paraguayan Christmas traditions. I found their practice of declaring 'happiness' and then spreading the greeting a great reenactment of the shepherds reaction to the Christ birth.
Also great job on the pic and labeling. I was impressed with you mad photo editing skills. Blessings to you!
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