Merry Christmas from Honduras!

December has gone by quickly, and it's hard to believe Christmas is just days away! Especially since it's still 80 degrees on many afternoons! Honduras has many of the same Christmas traditions that we have in the States . . . similar songs, Christmas trees, red and green decorations, giving gifts, and celebrating the birth of Christ. There are some differences though, the biggest being the use of fireworks! Since November the sound of firecrackers and fireworks surrounds us every day. And the boys in our family have joined in the fun, taking advantage of being in a place where fireworks are legal and cheap!

La Providencia had its Christmas program last week, and it was really fun. I (Erin) had been working with each grade to prepare a Christmas song (singing and/or playing recorder). It was really neat to see them perform after all those weeks of work! There were also skits and dances, and the families all seemed to have a good time being there with their children. (Check facebook for lots of pictures!)

On Friday night was the La Providencia staff Christmas dinner. This was a very special (and funny!) time that we all enjoyed. At the dinner, we welcomed the new couple, Edis and Patricia Rios, who will be joining La Providencia as parents in the third house!

Speaking of the third house, it's almost finished!! Some of the latest pictures are below. And the fourth house will be started very soon. It's an exciting time for Heath and Ethan to be a part of La Providencia's building crew.

It's time to renew our visas again, and this time we'll be going to Panama for a few days. While working out the details of these trips is anything but simple, we are looking forward to seeing another country and the once-in-a-lifetime chance to visit the Panama Canal!

School resumes January 4th, and we're excited that we'll have several visitors from the States in early 2016.

Please continue to pray for La Providencia: for the parents and children who will live in the new house, for the students at the school, for the children who live at La Providencia, for the people of Siguatepeque, and for strength and joy for all of us who work here. Praise the Lord that He is keeping all of us in good health and giving us strength for one day at a time.

We appreciate each of you very much.
Have a blessed Christmas and a wonderful 2016!