Many of you may wonder what it’s like celebrating Christmas in Africa, so I’ll give you some insight. It really doesn’t have to be that much different here.
December 5th:
We went out to the corner of the center to pick out our Christmas tree. (So what if it’s a little Charlie Brown/Pinterest!?!)
December 6th:
We got started a little late on Advent with a homemade Advent wreath. I made the candle-holder, and our house-help made the wreathe.
December 19th:
We went to the “picture show” in town. WOOT!
December 20th:
We went to the Greenhouse Christmas pageant/program. Teresa’s students sang some songs with the preschoolers.
And the older students did a sing-along story of the shepherds (and how stinky the job usually was).
December 21st:
We picked up our shipment of items that had traveled from home.
Teresa got lots of kitchen stuff, and Nicoline (our house-help) was excited to take it into her “office”.
December 23rd:
Teresa went to a carol sing at the center. (Sorry, no pictures.)
December 24th:
We went out for the African version of sledding in the morning on our newly arrived BIKES!
After doing some final shopping, we settled in for some puzzling and a movie!
December 25th:
After a lovely breakfast (with BACON!), we sang Happy Birthday to Jesus (Matthew’s family’s tradition) and dug into some muffins that Matthew mixed up (and overflowed).
Then we played with Teresa’s Christmas present, Scrabble in French!
Later this afternoon, we’ll spend some time with other missionaries for Christmas dinner.
“Be near me, Lord Jesus; I ask Thee to stay
close by me forever, and love me, I pray.
Bless all the dear children
in Thy tender care,
and take us to heaven
to live with Thee there.”-Away in a Manger
May you have a Blessed Christmas and a Happy New Year!
Matthew and Teresa's Blog 