#23 Party
Today is a good day to write about partying. Our coworkers are arriving back in the village this morning, after an 8-month furlough away. Tonight we will have dinner together and we will party. (This was true on the day I wrote it, if a little behind-the-times on the day I posted it…oh, well…)
Our parties are not usually grand affairs. We don’t get into elaborate decorations or fancy themes. We usually just have good food and spend time together. We watch movies together on Friday nights–or more accurately a show–because we’re too old to stay up late enough for an entire movie.
after the little ones are asleep
We celebrate the traditional American holidays like 4th of July and Thanksgiving. And with the new believers we are celebrating new occasions in unique ways, like a “Day of the Living” party during the month when Nahuatl people traditionally celebrate the “Day of the Dead.” New traditions for new creations.
Having fun together is something that has helped our team get through the inevitable non-fun times. More moments than I would care to admit have been anything but party-like. But we are a team, a body, and a family, and we carve out moments and occasions and make them special.
We celebrate our milestones, like a new portion translated and approved for printing and distribution, or the completion of Cycle 1 of the teaching, or a graduating literacy class, or a child potty trained. We trust that the results are the Lord’s but we also take a moment to find joy in each other and congratulate each other over hard work done. Like I said, we find reasons to party.
filled them like stockings.
I think God intended us to be partying people. Eternity will be heralded in with one impressive celebration, after all. And we are told that our strength is rooted in Joy. He gives victories and is the author of all good gifts, and–to me–that seems like plenty of reason to celebrate His Goodness.