Holidays are always a time for family and friends and being
with people you love. This year I spent Christmas in Malawi, and even though I
was miles apart from the “normalcy” of Christmas, I was still able to
celebrate. The difference was in
how we celebrated Christ’s birth…
On Christmas Eve a few of us had the opportunity to visit a
girls orphanage called Tilinanu Orphanage. As we walked up, we were showered
with love from girls aged 7-18. They sang us a welcome song and were so excited
that we came to visit. So this year, my Christmas Eve involved painting nails,
acting out the Christmas story, eating Ugali and beans, and more. With the
exception of acting out the Christmas story, this was not my traditional
Christmas Eve.
We talked to them about Christmas and what it meant. Meghan
and I acted out the story…she was Mary, and I was Joseph and the Shepherds J I don’t believe we
will win an Oscar for our performance, but we were able to get the story
across. We then painted their nails. So precious!! Their faces were so excited
and giddy about getting prettied up. After painting nails, we ate lunch (ugali
and beans) and played outside with them before heading back to our hostel.
It is the little
things…..Christmas isn’t about getting presents or even getting together with
family. It is about Christ’s birth. This year, I was able to see Christ and
celebrate His birth in spending time with the girls. Even when I was missing spending
time with my family, I would not have changed it for the world! It was so
amazing to be able to love on girls with no earthly parents. The great thing is
that they have a Father in heaven, just like you, that loves everyone so much!
