We have been walking around Manila in the 80 degree weather sweating and wondering… “Is it really snowing at home?” We see the Canadian pine from a box in our living room. We see the packages coming in the mail. We hear Christmas music about snow and sleighs playing in the mall and we can only laugh. What does that even mean here? We continually wonder, “when is it going to feel like Christmas here?”
Then, last Sunday, it came rushing in. We were invited to the Christmas Party at the Children’s home. It was all the things Christmas should be… a big birthday party for Jesus, overflowing with joy and being with people you love. It was missing all of the commercialism and greed and stress that Santa tends to bring to town. The atmosphere was so contagious. 35 kids running around playing games, enjoying a meal together and the joyous sound of giggling as the paper was torn off their presents.
Don’t worry, you’re invited to the party too!
Dave trying to compete in the soda drinking constest Camille after “bobbing for pesos”
Benji demolishing the pinata (clay pot filled with flour and candy)
This is a greased pig… kind of like a greased watermellon
The kids chase him around and try to move him from one place to another as fast as possible.
This is Rodolf playing the game…
… poor pig
Family Photo (I even have my eyes shut!)
Rodolf shaking his spoon at me so i don’t eat up all his food
(pretty typical PooPoo Monster behaviour)
Fritz and his cool new shirt
Armie beaming with pride with her new shiny earings
Man Man and his sweet new spiderman lunchbox!
Wishing you all a joyous Christmas filled with awe from knowing Jesus came to earth and overflowing with the excitement that gift warrants!
