Christmas was nothing like my usual Christmas. Not that I can say I have really had a “usual Christmas” since moving abroad. BUT this Christmas was different: SPECIAL, LOVELY, INCREDIBLE, BLESSED. There are not enough ways to explain how great it was. But my heart was FULL.
I spent the week leading up to Christmas at Samaritan Village Orphanage in Tanzania. It was not like any orphanage I have ever been to. Everyone there is a FAMILY. They all look out for each other and take care of each other. I was so blessed to have the opportunity to spend a week there and to spend my Christmas there.
Christmas morning I woke to the sound of Christmas music coming from the chapel. It was in Swahili but I recognized the tunes. All the older kids gathered in the chapel for a time of worship and prayer. Later on in the morning we headed downstairs and played outside with the kids just like any other day. We spent the morning running around, reading stories, giving piggy back rides, jump roping or playing soccer. The older kids had gone to church in town so they were gone throughout the morning. Later in the morning visitors came to bring the kids some candies and a cake as well as a few toys. The kids are very blessed.
In the afternoon children from all over the neighborhood and outside the neighborhood came to the chapel for worship and a meal. Their were over three hundred kids that came. The kids were all ages. The orphanage was opened to all. After the worship time we helped pass out the drinks. Each child received a plate of food and a coke. The kids were all over the playground eating and playing. All of the kids were so excited to be there. The orphanage receives donations to help sponsor this grand event for all of these kids. At the end of the day the kids get candy and a pencil. The line was huge and the kids were so excited to receive gifts. All the kids showed up in their best outfits for the occasion. Some of the kids had been there a couple days earlier playing with the kids that live thee and had been in the same clothes the whole time but for Christmas everyone was dressed up. I had asked how the kids get to the orphanage and I was told that some of them get up really early in the morning to walk and make it just for this event.
The coolest part about the day was seeing all the kids that live a Samaritan village so giving and helping out with getting the neighborhood kids food and drinks and candy. They are so giving and so caring, they have been blessed with such a great home and family there. They even spent the evening together as a family hanging out and relaxing after such a crazy day.
The week there was more that I could have ever asked for. The kids were great loving children. Their laughter and smiles made my day. I am so thankful to have been able to be a part of such a great Christmas event. Words are not enough to really grasp the greatness. I hope the pictures help! 
