Fiestas

We have every intention of updating our blog regularly, but it doesn't seem to happen. Please forgive us. We really do want to use this blog as a means of letting you know what we are doing down here. You can take it as a good sign that we are busy, that we are filling our time with ministry and family!

Fiestas. One word - Wow. In Latin America, fiestas are huge. We've been to 3 birthday parties in the last 3 weeks, all for children of friends we have made here. All Bolivian kids' parites have very loud music (totally age inappropriate) a clown or magic show, certain party songs with motions that everyone knows, all the cookies and candy and cake and soda you can eat, a piñata, and huge goodie bags. And the parties are huge. Two of the parties were for 2 year olds and there were probably 25 kids plus twice as many adults. Craziness!! These fiestas really tell a lot about Latin culture and what is valued - celebrations, family, friends. Another thing we've noticed is how inclusive Bolivians are. We've only been here 6 months but have been to at least as many Bolivian birthday parties. It doesn't matter that we've just met, we're included. So different from our North American culture of exclusiveness. Other than the super loud music the kids love these parties, what kid wouldn't? And Bubba and I are enjoying learning about this aspect of Latin culture, especially as it gives us an opportunity to be a part of the lives of our new friends.