Christmas Party!

Food, fellowship, fun, and the gospel of course...that's what it's all about! Our students and their families came last Thursday night to celebrate Christmas with us. After a great meal, Linus (from Peanuts, of course) shared the true meaning of Christmas with us. This year, a couple of our students shared some of their gifts and talents with the whole group as well. Claudia and others from Nueva Vida performed a skit to the song Redeemed...it addressed spiritual warfare, the battle we all go through and the victory won in Christ. Then she and a few other ladies sang El Pretorio...a beautiful song, while the harsh reality of what Jesus endured played on video (from The Passion). All of it was very moving. Though not your normal Christmas celebration kind of stuff, I realize now more than ever that we cannot fully celebrate the birth without remembering the death, the suffering...and then the resurrection.

We started a tradition last year that was a great time this year as well: a white elephant gift exchange! From silly hats to cute stuffed animals, the gifts are a blast and this is a fun time for everyone!

Before the evening ended, we gave each of our students a copy of the book Set Free! in Spanish. This is the story of Karla Faye Tucker, someone who could certainly have testified to the power of transformation through Christ. Please pray with us that this story will move our students to seek out a genuine relationship with Jesus Christ!

We finished out the evening with fellowship and a memorable rendition of Feliz Navidad! I was thrilled to have finally learned the words :-)

Feliz Navidad prospero ano y felicidad!