The 25th of December was celebrated differently this year. I wasn’t in the warmth of my Midwest home in Kansas but instead in the southern part of the warm heart of Africa here in Malawi.
We were asked by the organization we serve with, RiseMalawi, to lead and facilitate a Christmas party for the kids we saw multiple days the first couple weeks of the month during their after school program. This program involves academic lessons, bible teachings, games, and other interactive activities. We were honored to be given the opportunity to give that gift to them.
The day wasn’t my normal Christmas by any means. Here’s the breakdown my team collaborated together:
7:37AM: Makin’ banana pancakes
*Cue Jack Johnson* It was somewhat like a zoo. Malawian children gathering at the window oohing and ahhing at Team United eating banana pancakes while singing and dancing to Chris Brown’s ‘This Christmas’.
8:30AM: Put on Christmas zitenges
To clarify, zitenge is the Chichewa word for skirt. Each team member took part 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: Goat slaughter
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 cleaning the goat’s intestines, Kelsey blew air through the goat’s lungs. Weird.
12:30AM: Prepare the pavilion
Included Africa’s version of a Christmas tree, paper chain strewn between brick pillars, and the creation of the scene of the birth of Jesus.
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 participating in Christmas story reciting, Christmas skits, songs, and dances. We went out with a bang with performing the Little Drummer Boy led on guitar by Kelsey and drums played on water jugs per Ashlyn and 12 kids.
3:00PM: The Malawian Feast
Jesus fed the 150 that’s for sure. Extremely fresh, seasoned goat meat, rice, beans, and veggies was the lunch menu. While partaking in the delicious meal, we were serenaded by Chels and her uke for entertainment.
4:17PM: Awkward family Christmas photo
Picture featured camp leaders, Rise Malawi staff, World Race team, and people we don’t know.
5:04PM: Back Porch Kickback
What better way to end the day than with 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*
7:41PM: InTENTS living room camp out
To the 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 here in Madisi, Malawi.
During all that, there was a skippy, bubbly feeling this Christmas that happens when you’re overexcited about experiencing something new. For example, we sang a version of 12 days of Christmas in front of the kids that started with “on the 1st day of Christmas my true love gave to me a monkey in a mango tree.” Yet I woke up with a heavy, dismayed heart that I honestly wrestled with early in the morning. I wanted to be home with my family and my dogs for Christmas instead.
I started writing and I realized that it possibly will be once that I spend Christmas in Africa and Lord willing many more joy-filled Christmases back home in Kansas. That also my family (maybe not my dogs) would want me to celebrate the birth of Christ just as much here as I would at home; that I would do this with a full heart knowing Christmas transcends American borders.
The moment that is printed in my memory is when my class each took an ornament and decorated the Christmas tree. In your mind, you may be thinking of a burly, forest green pine dotted with glowing lights. Instead when I woke up Christmas morning during a torrential downpour, I looked out the window and saw a tiny sapling someone delivered to be our tree. It was like a baby tree waiting to be planted.
At home, I’ve often been most excited about bringing out the Christmas tree, ornaments, and setting it ablaze with lights. This year I watched tiny, eager hands hang their glittery paper ornaments on delicate branches with smiles and pure happiness. It wasn’t home, it was different, but it brought the similar emotion of joy. It was the most lack luster Christmas tree I’ve ever had but I’ve never witnessed more excitement during a tree decoration.
