Christmas in Africa!

"I'm dreaming of a white Christmas..." So dreaming was as much of a white Christmas as I got. My first Christmas in warm weather. I was afraid it wouldn't feel very Christmassy but it certainly did. I had an amazing Christmas this year. It felt like a three day long party.

Our beautiful creation

The remains...

 On Christmas Eve Eve (aka December 23), we had a ginger bread house competition. We built a lovely lopsided little cabin. Let's just say it didn't get too many votes. But the ladies on the VVF ward loved it. They tore it apart in a minute flat. A lot of them have been on liquid only diets the last couple of weeks so the candy was a welcome change.
Then we celebrated another tradition from yet another country. A BBQ and carols by candlelight (thanks Australia for the awesome tradition!) on the dock with the last of our Sunday advent services. Food, singing, fire and friends. Makes for a great evening.

Picture by Bethany Salmonson

Let your light shine...

The "Wiggles" showed up to our party!

Picture with Santa Claus!

Christmas Eve was a nice relaxing day. Movies, games with friends, yoga, Christmas Eve service complete with singing in a little choir we put together for Christmas and as usual lots of food.

Cooked pears!!!!

Presents!

And then, it was Christmas! We woke up to our shoes outside our door stuffed with goodies. We also got to sleep in since they didn't serve brunch until 1030 (usually holiday breakfasts end at 9). And what a brunch it was. Breakfast and lunch all served at the same time. Pastries and fruit and cookies. But the thing that made my day was the pears. Always a tradition at my home to have cooked pears for Christmas and here they were all the way in Africa (not as good as Oma's of course but still delicious). We had a lovely little get together opening our shoe presents and then we all went and played games and there was more food involved in there somewhere. Then we watched White Christmas! I love that movie and was so excited that they were playing it on the big screen for us. Then there was more tea and food and games and shenanigans and staying up until wee hours of the morning in an effort to keep Christmas going for as long as possible.

Half of our Christmas morning feast. Thanks dining room staff!

Femi and me in our awesome Christmas sweaters.

Taking a break after decorating the dining room all morning.

Brunch with the girls

Opening presents in one of our little cabins.

Karin rocking around the Christmas tree, Swedish style.

 I have been thanking God for blessing me so richly with friends to spend Christmas with on the other side of the world away from loved ones. And with all these festivities going on it is easy to forget why we celebrate Christmas. Thank you Lord for sending your Son. And thank you everyone who sent emails and well wishes to me over Christmas. I pray you all had a blessed Christmas time.