A “Totes my Goats” CHRISTmas!

The days leading up to Christmas didn’t feel like Christmas. There wasn’t lights, warm cookies, warm fires, Hallmark movies, hot chocolate and most importantly my family. This Christmas everything that felt comfortable was gone: traditions and family gatherings.

BUT..

This Christmas in Malawi I was refocused on what Christmas is all about. The birth of a
our one and only Savior who came and continued to love us in all His ways.

My team and I put together how our Christmas Day went!

7:37AM: Makin’ Banana Pancakes
*Cue Jack Johnson*
Kelsey and Kristi made the team banana pancakes singing and dancing. As the team gathered together it was somewhat like a zoo. Malawian children gathered at the mission’s house window oohing and ahhing. They stood watching Team United eating while singing and dancing to Chris Brown’s, ‘This Christmas’.

8:30AM: Put on Christmas Zitenges
To clarify, zitenge is the Chichewa (language they speak here) word for skirt. Each team member participated in a Secret Santa skirt exchange. While putting on zitenges and getting ready for the day, the team blasted the worship music as they were genuinely in awe that Jesus had come to earth on this day.

10:32AM: Slaughter. Of. The. Goat!
We’ll save you the (very) bloody details. Let’s just say it was alive and then it wasn’t. Side note: to take a break from cleaning the goat’s intestines, Kelsey blew air through the goat’s lungs. The rest of team was weirded and grossed out.
(Haha I had a blast being able to clean out the intestines and helping prepare the meat! This moment reminded me of home. Every year my family butchers one of our cows and eat it for our Christmas dinner. All grandkids gather to help our grandparents.)

12:30PM: Prepare the Pavilion
Included Africa’s version of a Christmas tree, paper chain strewn between brick pillars, and the creation of the scene of Jesus’ birth. All Christmas decorations were made by the kids. The kids joyfully hung their handmade christmas ornaments on the African Christmas tree.

1:26PM: Let the Festivities Begin
For the first time ever, a World Race team brought a party to Rise Malawi as a Christmas gift. Guests included 150 children, high schoolers, and adults. It was an hour and a half of children reciting verses from the Christmas story, acting in skits, singing, and dancing. We went out with a bang by performing the Little Drummer Boy led on guitar by Kelsey and drums played on water jugs per Ashlyn and 12 kids. (Playing in front of that many people was scary, but it felt great to give glory and praise to the Lord. I didn’t care if it sounded good. We sang and gave glory to Jesus.)

3:00PM: The Malawian Feast
Well Jesus fed the 150 that’s for sure! The lunch menu included extremely fresh, seasoned goat meat, rice, beans, and veggies. While partaking in the delicious meal, we were serenaded by Chels and her uke as entertainment.

4:17PM: Awkward Family Christmas Photo
Pictured were camp leaders, Rise Malawi staff, World Race team, and people we don’t know.
(Taking pictures with all of them was so much fun they acted like children with a camera. Making funny faces, selfies and nonstop press of the button.)

5:04PM: Back Porch Kickback
What better way to end a celebration than with a soda pop (“coke” if you’re Kristi) and goat intestines, am I right? Guest list: *copy and paste all members of the awkward family photo*
(I enjoyed hearing the loud boisterous laughter and i was soaking in the smiles of all their beautiful faces)

7:41PM: InTENTS Living Room Camp Out
To end the day, we rearranged our living room furniture to fit our tents for a sleepover and a movie full of the Whos. The Grinch may have stolen Christmas, but we certainly found it in Malawi.

Throughout the day there was so much beauty and awe. Even though all traditions and comfort were taken it was filled with so much love, peace, an joy. Every moment felt special and this will be a Christmas I will never forget.

Merry Christmas!