Bienvenido 2011....

Welcoming in a new year can be quite the experience anywhere in the world.  However, I think that Latin America just might win the award for awesomeness when it comes to this special evening.  I have heard it said that being in Venezuela on New Year's Eve is like being in downtown Bagdad at the height of the war.  That sounds a bit extreme to most, but after having my first New Year's Eve here I can honestly say that they were probably 100% correct.  But on the bright side... the explosions here were followed with an array of fabulous colors!



      Chris joined in the fun by buying a few fireworks from a street vendor.  These fireworks would never be allowed back home, but here... it is no holds barred!  They go all out!  Praise Jesus that Chris had the foresight to at least anchor his in a scrap of PVC pipe before launching this monstrous rocket into the air!

     The kids had a blast & were out in our little gated community with friends until obscene hours of the night.  You would question my parenting skills if I told you just how late that was!  Imanuel, on the other hand, cried for hours & was absolutely petrified from all of the explosions. 

     The colors were beautiful & all we had to do was simply walk outside our front door.  There was no long line, no being cramped in a car, no pushing & shoving to go to some big park to see fireworks... it was simply... walk out side & enjoy the show! (For several hours straight I might add.... now you see why Imanuel was so scared!)


     We all agreed that this was the best New Year's Eve that we had ever had!  Even Ian, who is often not the biggest fan of our calling as missionaries, said he would like to be here EVERY New Year's Eve!