Merry Christmas and goodbye until 2016

Thursday night was our last worship service at Vida Nueva until 2016.  The church was beautifully decorated for Christmas and we sang some Christmas carols,  By the way, "Joy to the World" really sounds different in Spanish; in fact, the word "joy" isn't even in the song.  It's called "Al Mundo Paz," which is translated peace to the world.  It probably has to do with the fact that in English the words "joy" and "world" are one syllable words, while in Spanish the words for "joy" (gozo) and the word for "world" (mundo) both have two syllables, therefore, they aren't a perfect substitute in the song.  Hence, "peace" to the world, instead of "joy" to the world.    

The pictures make it look like no one was there.  Really, there was a pretty big crowd, they were all sitting behind me.

We were able to say "adios" to almost everyone on Thursday night:  Pastor Steve and Pam, Pastor Julio and Patty, David and Maritza, Guillermo and many more. 

We fly to California this afternoon and should be getting grandkid hugs before they go to bed.  

Early airport trip and Hilo, Aguja y Biblia

Saying hello is so much easier than saying goodbye, but after having Daniel and the kids here for a week, today was the day they flew home.  

We had an awesome time and the kids were so well behaved.  We loved showing and teaching them about El Salvador.  

After the airport trip, I headed to Hilo, Aguja y Biblia.  Today we started a cross stitch project.  It was a first for most of the ladies!  

Saying goodbye to the grandkids

One of the things we try to do before we leave California is to discuss/decide/plan our next trip.  Although we talked about we didn't make any definite plans.  I just know I won't be able to wait too long . . . . we're thinking maybe late May or early June.  Even so, Aviah will be six months by then and will have changed so much!  

Here's a photo review of our trip!

 Happy, happy girl!

 Grandpa getting back in practice!

 Day at the park

 Adventure with the fireman (see earlier post)

 Maleia practicing her cursive with Shannon

 Uncle Jon came to see us

 Talking to Grandma

 Decked out for roller skating

 Yes, Josiah drew this car all by himself.  Did I say he's 2 1/2

Took a few minutes off playing with cars to get a lesson from daddy

 What a hit!

A Special Goodbye

Jeff and Paula flew back to El Salvador last Thursday evening.  Because we were still in Managua, we didn't get to see them until Sunday morning when we picked them up to go to church in Lourdes.  It was a great morning of worship--I just can't tell how beautiful it is to sing Christmas carols in Spanish.  Pastor Steve Kern's message was titled, "Why do we celebrate Christmas with lights?"  He encouraged us to remember that Jesus is the light of the world and all the Christmas lights (wherever they are) should remind us of His birth.

At the end of the service, they had a special goodbye for Jeff and Paula.  First, there was a presentation called "Thank you for your Footprints," next, the little kids came forward and read a thank you card to each of them and then the Pastor Koky and Pastor Julio presented a placque to them.  It was a very touching goodbye and there wasn't a dry eye in the church.

After lunch we drove up north to attend the 7th anniversary celebration of Iglesia Buatista Vida Nueva, Aguilares.  After the worship and preaching, the deacons and pastors ordained Joel Lopez as the new pastor.  

This morning we picked them up at 5:00 and drove them to the airport.  Jeff starts his new position as outreach pastor at Topeka Baptist Church on January 3.  We are so sorry to see them go, but we are so thankful to have been able to work with them for the last 3 years.