Every year I relish in the thoughts of cool weather and the first snowflake. Dreaming often about all the snow creations I will be able to create when we get our snow! As the brisk air hits my face my spirits automatically lift. I enjoy bundling up next to the fire with hot coco, while watching an endless list of Christmas movies. Then there comes the wonderful time of tree hunting and decorating as we listen to Christmas music! And of course all of the fun times getting together with family and friends.
(Christmas Tree at the airport!)
So this year as I spend Christmas in Kigali, Rwanda with new friends I am experiencing a new type of Christmas. There is no cold weather, no snow, no traditions with old friends, and no family. Very sad. But we made it work. We have been listening to Christmas music and watching Christmas movies all month. We did a pre-christmas dinner in Kenya, attended a children’s Christmas program, and drove hours somewhere unknown men who spoke very very little English to hike through a jungle to preach at a church. The fun began though on Christmas morning when I awoke to Christmas gifts with a note by my bed and my shoe in the hall full of gifts. And for our Christmas dinner we ate hamburgers at the airport and skyped our families. What a GREAT day!!!
Oh and we did a white elephant exchange with whatever we had in our packs to give away. We have truly changed. We were fighting over a pair of yellow socks, a nail polish remover pad, a buff, bug spray, and a piece of paper that said free massage. Haha. Oh the simple things in life!!!
This year I can say I actually focused more on what Christmas is really all about. It is nice to have traditions and times with loved ones, but Christmas is about celebrating the birth of our Savior Jesus Christ!!!!!!!!!!!! Praise Jesus!
