How Do YOU Celebrate the Holidays?

I have received this question a lot lately, so I have decided to give you a little sampling of our recent festivities!

My birthday: Heather invited our whole church to my BD party. All 30 of them felt quite loved - both to be included and by the feast of goodies she prepared. We even had pop. I think it was the first sugar high some of the children of our church had experienced and definitely their first piñata. :D It was so much fun that a child peed on the floor in excitement. *grin*

Christmas Day: was a celebration and a half! Our church gathered in the morning with singing and praying. We then transitioned into Malagasy-style karaoke! Picture an open mike and speakers, but no background tracks or lyrics. :P You did receive a treat if you performed for everyone, so this girl did. :0) Once we had sung ourselves hungry, our hosts made lunch for everyone and we had a grand time conversing and laughing. Meat is a rarity, so Heather and I grabbed only one piece. Mine was delicious. Heather accidently speared a pig snout. Ha ha ha! Then began the dance party; Malagasy, American, French, and Norwegian songs all made it into the party mix. There were joyous shouts of "voavonjy!" intermittently thrown in as people praised Jesus for the salvation He brings. Six hours of partying later, Heather and I were among the first to leave!

New Years Eve: our precious friends Rivo and Hanta invited us to spend New Year’s Eve with them. This was very special because it was family time. Rivo and Hanta, their two daughters and sons-in-law, and Heather and I gathered together starting about 9pm and had an interactive Bible study until nearly midnight! It was a sweet, sweet time.

Please continue lifting us up! Our January plans include teaching medical and Bible lessons in the villages of Foibe, Ankazotsara, and Kianjanomby, and vacationing ! Our supervisor, Jeremy, broke his leg, so please join us in praying for him as he goes through physical therapy and he and his family get ready to join us again here in Madagascar!

Thank you so much for your prayers and the love that you show me!
I thank my God upon every remembrance of you (Philippians 1:3).
Cara :)