celebrating His coming

As promised, yesterday was a very fun day...maybe a little too fun.  By 9 pm, I was exhausted! 

Everyone had final exams in the morning, and then at 11:30 started the annual talent competition, which entails 3 - 4 students writing original compositions, putting together all the words and music, and then performing before the study body and a panel of five judges.

Music continues to be everybody's favorite thing (perhaps even MORE than soccer!) so this competition is always a huge hit.  This year, two of our first year students took on each other and a third year student, and Ismael (who is also a very talented pianist) took the prize!

As you can tell, this is all taken very seriously :)  When it came time for each judge to share their thoughts on their area to judge (lyrics, voice, theatrics, dancing, theology, etc...) you could hear a pin drop!

Then, we had practice for today's Christmas Carol hour, and then third and fourth year faced off in the soccer championship!  After a grueling game, third year took the trophy (literal: trophy) as champions, and fourth year was none too happy about losing their last chance at the prize.  

Today's student and missionary Christmas Carol is at 4:30, and then at 6 begins the annual Christmas movie night in the chapel.  After several years of Home Alone 1 and 2, this year "ELF" has been chosen...that will be interesting.

Weeks like this are not normal at Emmaus and not normal for Haiti...but so fun to share together, and to do some of the things that are very normal in the States for Christmas season, but unexpected and unheard of luxuries in a place like Haiti.  Additionally, these are the activities for the girls that have come to mean "Christmas time."  

Once again, there will be no snow days or snow men or driving around to look at Christmas lights or Santas or Christmas displays and pageants, but... it is soccer games between the palm trees and half-time sack races, popcorn in the chapel and dance parties that delight them and that feel like celebrating His coming.

We sure do love our crew...

more pictures to come.