Christmas Eve, Day & Night

For Christmas Eve, my parents and I were invited to the Voelkers, along with some of the other missionaries.  It was such a nice evening spending time with friends and family and enjoying the Christmas season.

 

The Portuguese traditional Christmas holiday cake - Bolo Rei [King Cake]

 

Sweet Joyce and me!

Cal led us in singing some Christmas carols.

Doug and Dad read the Christmas story from Luke 2.  Dad would read a verse in English, then Doug would read the verse Portuguese.  It was a really neat experience.  (I think Mom was straining to understand the Portuguese. :-)

Christmas day we joined the Rachevskys, along with some of the other missionaries.

We had such great night of fellowship and a couple of "small world" experiences, too!  It turns out that Miriam, who is Canadian, went to the Bible school and seminary started by Dad's college advisor and long time friend, Gerry Benn.  Doug, who also happens to be Canadian, went to school with Rick & Mick Vigneulle!

On the way home, there was a four-legged road block we waited for to clear.

Later that night, we attended the Christmas party for the Field Council (all the ABWE missionaries in the greater Lisbon area).  Another great time that included a time of games, white elephant gift exchange, singing Christmas carols, fellowshipping, and of course, eating!

A game of Taboo with Christmas themed words.