The expectation was to celebrate the holidays alone and missing family, but fortunately Guatemalan customs didn't permit it. We were bombarded with invitations for the 24th, so much so we had to turn down two of them. Tamales require almost 8 hours of preparation and women will get together and assembly up to 300 for the festivities. On Christmas Eve we first went to Sandra's home which was filled with uncles, grandparents, cousins, second cousins, and the list goes on. We were able to get in on the tamale making action by wrapping up the leaf and tieing it closed with a piece of twine from another type of plant (how organic!). These tamales aren't the mexi-american style we are use to either. Most are kind of mushy, made with crushed corn and water and then filled with a small piece of meat, a slice of pepper, a date and sauce. First tamale we ate was at 4 o`clock and she sent a bag of four tamales with us.
Next, we visited a couple just a little older than us and they served a fruit punch, called ponche, which is filled with tiny pieces of cocunut, pinneaple, grapes and apples. There is no way you can drink this without a spoon. Then we were each served two tamales, one with the typical corn base and the other with a potato base. By 6 o`clock we had each eaten 3 tamales.
Finally, we went to another gal from works house. As we arrived a family was leaving and we were able to visit with just the two of them for a few hours. People come and go and some will continue visiting homes until the wee hours of the night. Flory, my friend from work, is in her 30s and her husband is 40 and we had a great time just getting to visit around the table in a relaxing environment. Age doesn't seem to be as noted here and friendships of varied ages are common. Shane plays soccer with her husband, Selvin and I have helped Flory lose 15 pounds in the last few months, so between sports and health we had plenty to talk about. At 8 we each ate another tamale which was our 4th in just a few hours and she too sent us home with 2 tamales. I was pleasently surprised that I enjoyed eating this typical Christmas item since I haven't liked the ones prior to the 24th. Either our friends are better cooks or I am getting a little more Guatemalan.
People here are wonderful hosts, not only do they feed their guests, but it's customary to send them home with extras. They were perfectly at ease when there was a moment of silence and since celebrating birthdays and holidays are done with a 100 or more people, they are accustomed to inviting people into their homes, which are quite small I might add. We have been challenged not to be skiddish or timid when it comes to invitations. I normally worry it might be akward if I don`t know them really well, or they won't like my food. I am much more prone to want to meet them at a coffee shop than bring them into my home. Our culture suffers from relational poverty where many feel lonely and desire more friendships. Step out and invite someone into your home this week and see how God will use it!
As we have stated before, making Guatemala our home is crucial to the effectiveness of our work. Last Sunday we fulfilled a four year desire of ours, we bought a German Shepherd puppy! After just finishing the book Last of the Mohicans together, we named him Scout since he is a true adventurer. The streets are filled with an assortment of mutts, but we opted for the nine hour car ride to and from the capital to get exactly what we were looking for.
