Usually in December our team meets during the first week for two nights and one full day so our various committees can meet. We also take this time to celebrate Christmas as a SIM family and have a despedida (farewell) for those leaving. We still did these things yet it was scattered throughout a four night, three full day schedule. Why? It was more of a conference this time as professional storyteller John Walsh came to speak to us on the recommendation of teammates Dan Reich and Tom Stout who had recently attended an orality conference in the US; John was one of the speakers. Fiona did a good job writing about that aspect here.
Otherwise, I have pictures to share!
Missionary swimming pool!
One of the things we did as part of learning how to tell stories effectively was to break into different groups and retell the story of Elijah in pantomime/dance; song; art; or drama.
Can you guess which group I was in?!?
For our Christmas celebration this year we sang Christmas carols and read various verses about the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ...by candlelight! It was simple and perfect, reminding us of Christmas Eve in the States. Then there was a table full of colorful icing and cookies for everyone to decorate and eat.
To be perfectly honest, I was not looking forward to it. At all. In the woods, hot and sticky, bugs, leaving the country in about two months, a storytelling conference??!? Well, I was pleasantly surprised. I had a GREAT time and learned a lot. I had some wonderful conversations, we heard some fun and interesting stories, had a bonfire with some hilarious skits and memorable songs, and a few of us even squeezed in a girls' night with a movie and chocolate. Once again I was reminded that "God knows best" and how blessed we are to serve with such a great team.
I'm guessing you were in the dance group... am I right?!!? ;)
ReplyDeleteWell, of course! Who would know better than you?!?!
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