Christmas in Ecuador

For the first time ever, we were away from all of our kids for Christmas, a time of year that is traditionally spent with family. Although we missed them, and longed to be there (even more so after Charlotte was born), we were really blessed this Christmas.

On December 23^rd we celebrated with our SIM “family”. The whole team got together at the home of one of the missionary families. We enjoyed an evening of good food, games, singing and a gift exchange. Even though we have only been here a short time, we have been accepted and made to feel that we are part of the team.

On Christmas Eve our church had a candlelight service, very similar to services at home. We listened to the familiar scripture passages being read in Spanish and we sang familiar Christmas songs in Spanish. The language was different but the message was the same – we celebrate and rejoice because of the birth of Jesus Christ, our Saviour. At the end of the service the pastor talked about us and told everyone that we were away from our family in Canada and that we had a new grandchild. Then he said to us, in English, that they loved us and were glad we were here and glad that our grandchild was well. When it was over, I think almost every person there came and hugged us.

In Ecuador, Christmas Eve is the important day when families celebrate together. Gifts do not seem to be the focus but rather the food and fellowship. We were very honoured to be invited to an Ecuadorian family celebration on Christmas Eve. The woman who invited us goes to our church and has lived in the United States. She said she knows what it’s like to be away from home at Christmas so she asked if we would like to join her family. We arrived at her sister’s place around 9 p.m. Other family members began arriving and there were soon close to 30 people there. Everyone greeted us in the traditional Ecuadorian way, with a kiss on the cheek, as if we were part of the family. Anyone who could speak a bit of English made a great effort to talk to us. Around 11 we sat down for the turkey dinner. When the host proposed a toast before the meal (in Spanish), he was talking about the importance of the occasion and celebrating it with family. Then he looked at us and someone supplied him with the English word “friends”. We so appreciated their kindness in welcoming us into their family.

Christmas Day we were invited to the home of one of the missionaries. They said they didn’t want anyone sitting at home alone on Christmas Day so there were 10 of us altogether. We had a great meal, visited and played a couple of games. Then we were all anxious to get home to Skype with our families. We were fortunate that our internet was working and we were able to talk to the kids later in the day. Not the same as being there, but better than nothing!

New Year’s Eve is probably the biggest celebration of the year in Ecuador. It is more than just welcoming the new year. They have a tradition in which they make life size figures, called Ano Viejo, meaning Old Year. In Loja these figures appeared to be made out of paper mache or some type of hard material and had elaborately painted clothes and faces. We were in Cuenca for a few days between Christmas and New Year’s and there they were stuffed with sawdust or newspaper and were wearing clothes. They were for sale on every street corner. On New Year’s Eve the people light fires in the streets and at midnight throw their “Ano Viejo” into the fire, symbolically getting rid of all the negative things from the year just ending. Then everyone jumps over the fire three times for good luck.

We didn’t venture out on the streets that night, but we watched the goings on from our rooftop. We had a great view of several fires on our street. Following the burning of the Ano Viejo there was an incredible fireworks display. Here anyone and everyone buys fireworks to set off at midnight (with little thought to safety it seems). From our roof we can see all across the city and there were fireworks going off everywhere! We didn’t know which way to turn; they were all around us. It was amazing!

So, we have celebrated Christmas and said good-bye to 2012 in a new culture. Although it was difficult to be away from our family during this time, our lives have been enriched through our experiences here.