In order to celebrate the 4th of July, some members of the team from Chicago and the Benners purchased a bunch of fireworks. We quickly learned that the fireworks here have significantly more "umph" to them, and they're a lot louder. It's amazing that somebody didn't get hurt. Fireworks in this particularly community are usually only seen/heard once a year, Christmas Eve at midnight. After a particular round of fireworks/noise makers, a couple of on-looking young girls hanging partially out of a neighboring house called out "Feliz Navidad!" to us. They seemed to be delighted, and Merry Christmas seemed to be the only response they knew for such an occasion.
My July 4th holiday was extra special because Kim, my best friend of 14 years, arrived for a 6 day visit. From my limited experience, holidays can be somewhat depressing for missionaries. Many of our standard holidays are not celebrated here, and/or they're celebrated in different months and in a very different manner. I've already found myself missing the traditions I've become accustomed to. Like the annual big family picnic on Memorial Day. And holidays like Independence Day look just like any other day here. So I was particularly happy to have Kim arrive. She had one whole suitcase filled with items from my "wish list" and gifts from many friends and family. My room resembled Wal-Mart by the time I finished unpacking my suitcase of surprises. It honestly felt like Christmas. Our time flew by, like I knew it would. And we again said tearful good-byes this morning as she returned home. I wonder if these good-byes will ever get any easier. I'll write more about our week's activities in another posting.
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