Christmas Eve - Noche Buena

In December of 2006, we arrived in Cuernavaca on Christmas Eve with Krista and Sarah.  It was too late to learn what happens on Noche Buena.  But this year we were invited by Pastor Lorenzo and Mari Carmen Servin to their home for Christmas Cena.  As you can see in the picture, it was time for some family pictures in front of the Arbol de Navidad.

 Then it was time for a fantastic dinner perpared by the Servin ladies. Everything was delicious and especially, the dressing for the turkey.  It was a combination of ground beef, bacon, nuts, peaches, hmmm, I'm forgetting some ingredients, but wow, what a treat, a traditional Mexican dish. 

After good conversation and lots of laughter, mostly at my expense, (I just can't stop talking even when I make really funny mistakes) we went outside to watch some fireworks and just enjoyed being outside on a really quiet street on a really peaceful evening. Near midnight, we finally caught a taxi to go home and the first thing the driver said to us was, "You are going home early!"  We reminded him that we were Canadians and that we could not stay up all night.  

After arriving home, we prepared for bed with the windows open. People were lighting fireworks well into the early hours of the morning.  We closed the window and went to sleep.  Thank you Servin Family for taking us in on Christmas Eve.  We were reminded of what varioius taxi drivers had told us as we approached Christmas without family near, "When you are in Mexico, we are your family!"  

Christmas Greetings

Very Sweet Invitations

This will be our first Christmas ever with just the two of us. Daniel and Grace will be in Chicago, Krista and Jonathan in Langley, BC, and Sarah will be in Texas with the African Children's Choir. One evening Jesús (our taxi driver) after explaining their family tradition on Noche Buena (Christmas Eve) asked us what we would do for Christmas. After telling him our story, he became quiet. A moment or two later he said, "You are invited to our house Christmas Eve. We have a small house but please come." Then, a few days ago as Gary was walking to catch a taxi, he passed the propane delivery man. He recognized Gary and as they chatted he wanted to know where we would spend Christmas. After hearing our story he said, "My house is not far. If you are alone, please come." How can you NOT love people like that? Poor, humble, but unwilling to leave complete strangers alone on Christmas Eve
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What of the heart of Jesus Christ for Mexicans, Canadians, Americans and indeed the entire world. He was not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance. So He came to be our Lamb, our Sacrifice, our Salvation, and our Hope. He is the Word of Life, who was with the Father and has appeared unto us. (1Jo. 1:2) I am convinced that the heart of Jesus is also stirred to see so many people spend Christmas outside of His family. May God renew our love and passion for souls and deepen our desire and resolve to make Him known.

Making Ponche and Serving at the Posada

Some Posada Pics

A Few Pics Approaching Navidad

Fruit beinging washed for Ponche tonight.

Mariachis singing to the Virgin of Guadalupe on December 12, The Day of the Virgin

Gary preaching on December 7, at Pastor Lorenzo Servin's church in Cuernavaca.

The General Hospital where we went to pass out tracts and pray for people. Kim and I plan to go back over Christmas and take a few treats.

Where do I begin?

Wow. So much has happened, and I have gotten behind. I'll start from tonight and begin to go backwards for a few posts.

Tonight, Kim and I were walking to get some coffee for the morning when we came upon our first Posada. It is a tradition that goes back to Spain I was told. For centuries the neighbors have gathered for 9 evenngs before Christmas to share ponche (a lovely drink made from a number of different fruits and sugar cane), sweets and to have the children break Piñatas. The nine evenings are to remember the journey of Mary and Joseph as they went from house to house looking for a place for Mary to give birth. So, for nine evenings our neighbors are gathering to sing, be together, share candy and Ponche. Needless to say, we didn't get coffee. We were snagged by the Dentista who is organizing the neighborhood. Tomorrow Kim and I are to make the Ponche and buy the little cookie and candy bags that everyone gets. Another neighbor will provide the Piñatas.

Last night was really cool. We took the bus down to the General Hospital and met some folks from the church. We met in the Sala de Esperanza, waiting room in the emergency department. It was full of people, inside and out and we were to give out scarfs (bufonda) and tracts and we were going to share Christ and pray with people. There were two groups there when we arrived, Christians, who had brought coffee and sandwiches for people who were waiting for loved ones to be treated, or who were at the hospital because of relatives who were admited. The gospel was preached in the waiting room and outside on the sidewalk. We were left to find people to talk and pray with and to share Christ with. It was somewhat caotic as you might imagine. Kim found a lady and began to share Christ with her. I found two fellows to chat with and to pray with. It was an absolute delight to carry the love of Christ to those precious people.
We walked part way home until we could catch a bus. It was a night to remember. Since we will not have family to spend Christmas with, we are thinking to go back to the hospital to share and pray with people. Perhaps we can take some treats.

A couple of weeks ago Gary preached his first Sunday morning in Spanish. By God's grace it went well, or so the folks said. They appreciated the message.

We continue to study and attend school this week. On Saturday we will attend our first wedding in Mexico. Next week is Christmas. We are missing our kids and family. Love to all.

I will try to catch up some more items in the next day or two. Appreciate all who pray.

Memories of the last weekend of November

Thirty days after packing our house into our "bodega" storage unit on Richmond Street, we closed November in Puebla, Mexico. The stretched weekend began last Thursday, riding the bus to Puebla with Toby and Marilyn Casteel, and concluded with a delayed bus trip back to Cuernavaca yesterday, delayed because one highway was closed for repairs and all the traffic funneled onto our road. The bus terminal in Puebla is massive, called, CAPU. You see people from many stratas of society. And according to your means, so is the bus you ride on. Some buses that pull out of CAPU, I would not want to ride. Others are luxurious, state of the art technology without equal in Canada. Enough on buses.

Over the weekend we stayed four nights in the team house called, "Tim's House". Keith and Dawn Goodling offered us turkey dinner, pumpkin pie, turkey sandwiches, and wonderful fellowship. They are members of the CrossWorld Puebla team and come from Pennsylvania. We had coffee with other members of the team and got a peak at newborn twins, sons of Danilo and Ingrid Paulk. It was great to spend some time with Ken and Diana Harer and Debbie Murphy as well. How blessed we are to have such wonderful friends.

And as an added treat, we got to sit and chat a while with Jose Manuel and Paola, Mexican leaders in Los Heroes we have known and loved for three years.

Sunday included worship at El Puente (The Bridge) with Steve and Blanche Bell followed by an awesome lunch together.

It was really cool as we walked down the street in Los Heroes in the dark, to come upon a family that Kim knew. Kim has taught the mom twice and we got to meet her husband and two daughters and chat a while.

The weekend was rich and full, and we are catching our breath as I prepare to preach this weekend. Kim is studying at home this week as well.

God is good. Thanks for your prayers and notes. Keep us up to date with what God is doing in your life. Blessings.

Gary