My family and I have some great memories from Christmas on the mission field. Obviously it’s painful to be away while family and friends are gathering for special holidays back home. But still, there are some great memories there from our times away. One year, while serving as missionaries in Uruguay, we left on Christmas Day with a teammate who was like a brother to us. We headed off by ferry boat across the Rio de la Plata to Buenos Aires where we watched a premier showing of “E.T.” in Latin America. It was a memory we’ll hold dear forever. Nothing says Christmas like an extra-terrestrial repeating over and over, “E.T. phone home!”
Do you have a special memory — or, at least, a time you’ll never forget? If so, would you please jot a note about it in the comment box following the online (web) version of this Brigada today? Thanks in advance for your help!
And, speaking of memories, thanks again for those who have remembered Brigada this Christmas. We’re just a little over $10,000 away from meeting our budget need for the new year. Is there a person or church out there who would pitch in $2000? If so, just click Donate in the top line menu at Brigada.org. Thank you!
As I read your Christmas memory of ET, I scratched my brain for one of my own. Couldn’t! BUT, another American holiday came to my mind! I had gathered MKs from the five schools Wycliffe used in Brazil for a 2-credit Summer Theater in Porto Velho. On the Fourth of July, the British and Canadian missionaries joined in our celebration with as much gusto as I! One very tall British chap dressed up like Uncle Sam, strutting around pulling on his suspenders. His black top hat swaying with each step.
hahahaha That’s hilarious, Neal. You’re probably *full* of stories like that. You should write them down, brother!
Our first Christmas as missionaries in Kyiv, Ukraine, occurred in 1997. Being the traditionalists that we are, our family of five wanted to celebrate on December 25th despite the fact that it would be just an ordinary day in Ukrainian society (the Soviets celebrated New Years Day). “Christmas trees” had not really caught on yet in Ukraine, so finding one before December 27 or 28 was quite difficult. My search on the 23rd netted one very tall, but extraordinarily sparse “Charlie Brown” Christmas tree. The poor thing was too tall for me to get it onto any sort of mass transportation, so I walked it about a mile and a half back to our apartment. While it was close to ten feet tall, it couldn’t have weighed more than five pounds. Believe me when I say that you couldn’t have hidden a flagpole behind this tree. We couldn’t look at it without laughing, but with a couple of handmade ornaments, it made for some great memories as part of our family’s first Christmas there.
Mike – *that* is the spirit of Christmas. What a great memory – and how meaningful is it this year (and last), knowing what our friends are going through over there. May peace come to Ukraine this Christmas!!!!