On the 28th of February 2001, Buck and Luciene moved to the Amazon Basin of Brazil. We lived in Macapá, right on the equator. Why would a web designer give up his career and take his family from their comfortable life in Columbus, Ohio, USA, to live on the Amazon River? We came with a vision to save the Amazon, to tell people about Jesus, and plant a Vineyard church. We have planted a church, and we are turning it over to the national leaders, heading back to the States in Sept. 2009.

 

Christmas eve meal with the Staubs.

We spent the 24th with our friends, the Staub’s. We have been so blessed by their generosity, and hospitality, and really appreciate their friendship. They graciously invited us over to their house for a late lunch, and provided an excellent meal for us. The kids got to spend Christmas eve in the pool, swimming.

Here are the kids in front of our tree.

Our tree was very simple. We had some grape lights, and decorated the tree in angels. At the top of the tree, we had a picture of Jesus, sitting on the throne, surrounded by angels.


Luciene and the kids opening presents on Christmas morning.

We did Christmas American style this year. Brazilians usually celebrate on the 24th, spending the evening with family and opening their gifts at midnight. We spent the day at the Staubs, and got back so tired that we went to bed early. As is the custom, at midnight, there were very large “firecrackers” going off, that in reality must be mid sized bombs by all of the noise they make. We got up the next morning, made some Freedom Toast with real maple syrup. (Our friend Ben Meeker blessed us with some 100% real maple syrup, and various Christmas presents also.) Then we opened our presents. It was kind of nice to do Christmas like I remember it as a child, on Christmas morning, instead of Christmas eve at midnight as is the Brazilian way.




The Children's Christmas Choir

The children's Christmas dance team.

This is the young person's dance group that danced on Sunday night.

Mayla and Suellen with the dance team

At church then on Sunday night, (Brazilians have the main church service on Sunday night, not on Sunday morning as is the custom in the US.) we had a children’s and teen dance teams, a children’s choir, I preached a special Christmas message, then we had some good food.

Lots of good food after the Christmas service!

My good friend Max and his mom check out his fotos

We had a very simple, happy, and blessed Christmas. Thanks for all of you that have sent messages reminding us that you pray regularly for us. Truly, we could not be here if it were not for our faithful friends, family, and supporters. We are praying that each of you has a blessed Christmas also!

posted by Eduardo Buck at Monday, December 26, 2005