My Christmas in Hybe

I do realize how fortunate I am...this year I spent my first Christmas away from home and family - Slovak-style. I'm trying to think how many of my loved ones have been given such a unique and wonderful opportunity I've had. To be honest, there were a few moments when my emotions did overwhelm me and I'd have to say I was a bit homesick. However, I was able to experience the holiday with my amazing new friends and "family" here in Hybe. It was a wonderful, beautiful Christmas!

Here are a few pictures for how my Christmas in Hybe looked :


Here I am going out into the forest with Johny, Marek, and Radko to pick their Christmas tree. This was my first experience getting a tree some other place besides the playground at Stella Maris's tree lot or Boone Hall Farms. At first it did seem a bit like National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation, especially when the boys started getting cold and tired ("Clark, Audrey's frozen from the waist down..."), but the scenery, fresh air, and Christmas excitement with the Žiškovci was amazing! I loved it!!!


Decorating the Christmas Tree with Marek and Radko...definitely an experience! You might be able to see that one branch has three ornaments on it (two gold, one red). Love it!

Decorating the tree with the Šuchtárovci...another great time! Even had a chance to make the star for the tree-topper. When the back of the star was a little messed-up, Ľuboš and Katka tried to make me feel better: "Sarah, it is fine. Who will see the back of the tree?" My mortified response, "Ježiško."At the Christmas Eve service, the pastor, Zuzka, and Johny called me to the front of the church to thank me for being here...and also to tell me they were thinking of me since I'd be away from my friends and family back home for Christmas. If I hadn't been scared of breaking down and crying at the front of the sanctuary, I'd have said that I was happy to be there, too, and that I was surrounded by "family". I did not have the courage to say that, but it doesn't mean it's not true.
After the Christmas Eve service at church, we even had new snow fall! Magic!

Christmas dinner...
Unique Slovak Christmas dinner traditions: on the table there is always garlic, bread, and salt (for health). Under the tablecloth, there is always money hidden. Traditional food: Opekance (like bread pudding with poppyseeds), Kapustnice(sour cabbage soup), potato salad, pork (or in some families, fish), and Vianočné oblátky (wafers) for dessert. In the Muchálovci family, their entire meal is eaten without clearing plates or moving up from the table...no standing allowed. This is definitely the only time I've seen Marta Muchálova sit still so long, because she's always so busy. For Christmas dinner, however, we had a leisurely meal and great company.

The Muchalovci and Starymama (Margita) after Christmas dinner.


Here I am with the pastor and his family...Adrianka, Samko, Pastor, Little Sará, and me!

Paya and Zuzka...my sisters.

This is the group from the catholic church...they were caroling door-to-door for over 5 hours in the freezing weather. Amazing! Also, they were collecting for their Good News ministry to Africa. It was wonderful to see their outreach project in action!


Saturday, Ľubo and Katka invited me to go with them to the Youth for Christ ranch in Kráľova Lehota...it was a beautiful place and I even got to see Christina (fellow ELCA YAGM serving in Prešov). Loved walking around and seeing the natural beauty!


Christmas party for the children...okay, it's the next post and you can read more there, but I wanted to put it up just once more. Operation Christmas Child is such an amazing exchange!