December 22nd. Three days ‘til Christmas and in my mind I can see North Carolina. My home church has been lighting the Advent Candles each week leading up to celebrate Christmas on Sunday. The big tree is up to the left of stage, filled to the top with ornaments and the two big wreaths hang on the back wall to show the progress of our Lottie Moon Christmas offering. The youth have probably been out Christmas caroling to those who are not able to leave their homes and each Sunday School class has planned a get-together with good food, games and fun.
I know that my Granny has put up her life-sized manger scene in the front yard and that my immediate family is probably still shopping for last minute gifts at this time. I assume that my Aunt Freda finished her shopping before December even started and that her tree is neatly decorated with gifts all around. My Aunt Patsy is making preparations for the long drive into Statesville on Saturday afternoon. Mom has probably been making lots of tasty white-chocolate mix to give (in those nice little decorative baggies) as gifts for her coworkers. It’s a busy time of year back home.
Saturday night there will be a Christmas Eve service at church with lots of wonderful Christmas music, candlelight, and hugs from friends. After it’s over my family will rush off to another party where my mom’s side of the family will meet up for way too much food and maybe even few songs. Granny’s famous Red Velvet cake will be served on her blue cake plate. You have to get to it before the main meal’s over or there won’t be any left!
The Dagenharts: Doug, David, Caleb, Hannah, Jim and Debbie
Finally everyone will go home and doze off to sleep, waking up the next morning to presents in the living room. Everyone will be sleepy-eyed and still in their PJs as they find their stockings (probably containing a Terry’s Chocolate Orange or some Ferro Rocher candies), then whichever of my brothers is most awake will divvy up the gifts. There will be wrapping paper everywhere, lots of thank-yous, then everyone will rush off to brush their teeth and possibly their hair (if they have any…love you Padre!) before making the journey to Granny and Paw’s house for breakfast.
Of course my family will be the last ones there, and as they walk down the steps they’ll be met with the smoky smell of sausage and country ham. Uncle Jerry will have a cup of coffee in his hand as he and Uncle Gary discuss deer hunting and the weather. Paw will be sitting in his recliner ready for breakfast to begin and my cousin Sara and her husband Greg will be there as well.
After all the amazing food: grits, eggs, bacon, sausage, country ham, biscuits and gravy, everyone will be too stuffed to move. But the “kids” will go upstairs and sort out all the presents as another gift exchange takes place between all the families. Secret Santas will be revealed then everyone will sit and talk as the morning progresses…last year it even began to snow! By 10:30am or so the cars will be leaving the driveway and everyone will head back home to enjoy the rest of the day. Most will be resting or checking out new gifts, my dad will probably go and chop down a tree for the fire in the woodstove…he’s always working hard!
I thank the Lord for wonderful memories of my family and friends, especially at Christmas time. Last year I remember breaking down crying because I wanted them all to know how much I loved Christ, to tell them how He is my everything. I was also emotional because I got my acceptance call from the Race around mid-December. I knew that Christmas 2011 would be different in many ways.
So that brings me here to Kigali, the capital city in Rwanda. I’ve been here since last Saturday and it’s beginning to feel like a new home. There are beautiful rolling hills all around, green trees and red dirt – the scenery is absolutely stunning. The weather is warm – in the 80s each day…which isn’t exactly Christmas-like. On Monday my team went to a large bank where there were two Christmas trees. They were the first ones we’d seen all season. In Kenya, a friend of ours explained that many people don’t buy Christmas trees or give gifts – it’s too expensive. I haven’t heard any Christmas music playing, apart from that coming from my teammate’s iTunes playlist. There are no lights, no decorations, no manger scenes or tacky sweaters. There are no advertisements offering great last minute gift ideas – although my email inbox has been flooded by Family Christian Stores and Barnes and Noble!
Here in Africa people celebrate Christmas by getting together with friends and family to have a good meal. It’s usually a one or two day affair, it doesn’t consume an entire season. There is no commercialism or pressure to give gifts, it’s just a time to be together. I’ve kind of enjoyed that aspect of things, even if our family did just put up a small Christmas tree last night (Wednesday, the 21st). I think the lack of Christmasy feeling in the air here has helped me not to miss home as much. It doesn’t look like, feel like or sound like Christmas at all – still, I’m excited to see what Sunday holds.
The Ladies of Team Deep Roots: Talitha, Hannah, Stephanie, Taryn
Sunday morning as my family meets at 9am for breakfast at Granny’s, I’ll be starting off on a trek to the church. (Of course it will be different because of the time zones, but I like to think of it this way.) One of the popular Christmas songs came to my mind yesterday as we were walking back from ministry. “Go tell it on the mountain, over the hills and EVERYWHERE. Go tell it on the mountain, that Jesus Christ is born!” Well, that’s exactly what we’re doing – over the hills and everywhere.
Each ministry day we walk around 1-2.5 hours total, most of it going up or down slopes. There is one huge valley with a single dirt road that leads across. It’s very steep, but it’s the shortest route. We may have to go slow sometimes or stop for a few breaks, but it’s worth it. I’ve also decided to continue running this month with Ben and Steph. This has been more physical exercise than any other month, but my attitude has changed. While I realize that working out is good to keep a healthy body (we eat a TON of carbs here: rice, bread, noodles, chapati, potatoes, etc.), and to possibly lose a bit of weight or at least keep from gaining any…that’s not my motivation any more. Well, at least not totally. When I’m running in the morning I think about the hills that are waiting for me in the afternoon. Each day will get easier and easier if we stick with it. But why is it so important to take care of myself? Both my body and my mind? Because there are children and adults who are waiting on the other side of the hill. They have never heard and someone needs to tell them.
Going through the valley toward our church.
Tuesday we went to a home on the other side of the valley to share the gospel. What started out as a woman and 10 children ended up 30 minutes later with a crowd of about 25 people. Those passing by simply stopped to listen. One older man gave his life to Christ! THIS is the reason to wake up and run, to walk miles and miles a day, to get home in the dark and eat a late supper.
This is the reason to give up Christmas morning at Granny’s house and everything that goes with it. Christ is Lord and the world needs to hear! What better time to remember Christ than when we celebrate his birth!
Beautiful sunset on the way home from ministry
It has been good to be here in Africa, to be blessed to be a part of bringing the Kingdom of God to earth and to share the good news about the Savior that was born to us so many, many years ago. While a big part of my heart will be in Iredell County on Sunday morning, the other part will be here, in Kigali, with my team as we preach Jesus to those gathered in the little Apostolic Church on the top of the hill.
For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David’s throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever.
-Isaiah 9:6-7
Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests.
– Luke 2:14
I pray that the Lord gets all the glory this Christmas day for the great things he has done.
