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 We are getting very close to Christmas, and you can feel it in the air when you walk in our Community houses. I was away for few days to our mission in Peru for finalizing the purchase of the new mission house. On December 12th, the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe, we were able to close the purchase. In the afternoon Father Stefano, who just arrived from our mission of Mexico, was able to celebrate Mass and bless the house and the property surround it. He arrived with a big statue of Our Lady of Guadalupe, and we placed it in front of the house. It was a beautiful celebration, full of joy and emotion, because Mother Elvira wanted this house for the children so much. Everything happened so quickly. Basically in one month we were able to get the house and pay for it. It is clear that the Blessed Mother has great plans for the children in Peru because she touched many people who prayed for this project. Through her intercession, it happened.
We are very grateful to all those who wanted to be part of this work of God. Please see the photos and videos of the Peru mission. So many hearts were touched when they to see the living conditions of the people there, especially where we have our first house in  Villa Salvador. Every time I go back there, it is always a reminder of how much we have in this country and how much we do not appreciate it and take it for granted. In my short time there, I have seen how much our missionary men and girls are dedicated and how many sacrifices they make every day. We see all of it also in the progress that the children are making, not only growing in size, but in their behavior.
 I got back to Florida in time to see the final preparations for Las Posadas (live nativity). The guys worked all week at the Mission of Nombres de Dios to set up. They created a beautiful village, representing Bethlehem, for Las Posadas last night. It all started with a procession from downtown with Mary and Joseph (Sean & Elaine) and the three kings (Jeff,Minh,Tim) and some angels (Jonathan and Blake C), followed by a crowd of people with candles, singing Christmas carols. We long procession walked down St. George Street and then down A1A all the way to the Mission grounds. People from town and tourists join in every year. It was very special. When the long procession arrived at the Mission all the other guys were dressed in the costumes that we used in our show. They worked great for the nativity. We had the Roman soldiers registering people, including Joseph and Mary. There were shepherds and townspeople. It was great. The guys did a great job. Everybody was on time and knew what they had to do, and it came out really well. The people who saw it really liked it and want us to do it again. We will see if we can. Our director David C was the mind in creating all of it, and Brian was the one that took care of setting up all the sound and light. We are getting better every time and now. Thanks to a great computer that "la Providenza" sent to us, we are able to do many more things on site. For me is always a joy the see how much the guys can really create and finally use their gifts for good. We keep developing more music and shows also because more and more the members of the community are young. The only one getting old is me!
 Mark B. is back from the house in Lourdes and is at OLOH. Two new guys entered. Keos and Joseph are both from CA. Jason exited on the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe, and he is living with Marco, Jorge, and Michael. Jeannine went home from the house in Medjugorje. Jay also came back to the States and is exiting. He will relocate up north.
In Italy they just had the Cenacolo Christmas party, and it was a very big celebration in Cuneo.
 Here in Florida we are having some chilly weather, but we are not even close to what is happening up north because we are in the 60's. The other day it was in the 8's!
Christmas is coming soon. Please let's just focus on the birth of Christ, not on the obsession of consumerism that makes people think mostly about getting and giving presents. I am always amazed at seeing how out of control the buying is here.
I have received many emails from people who said that, after they saw the videos of Peru, they decided to give up presents and, instead, they are asking their family to give donations for the house in Peru. That is the spirit of Christmas!!
Buon Natale
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