I celebrated such a wonderful Christmas here in Kigali! It was busy and joyful and full of love and children; just how Christmas is meant to be! I started celebrating on Christmas Eve with a beautiful candlelight service at our church. 70 kids from all over sang in our kids choir! Afterwards, my roommate and I hosted 20+ of her former kids from the African Children's Choir who are now in their 20's. They came with their families, from all over Rwanda, and we barbecued goat on our front porch, made some hot apple cider, and Janelle baked tons of Christmas goodies. One of her former kids, Joseph, dressed as Father Christmas and handed out cars and crayons to the children. We brought over the projector from school and watched Christmas movies on a white sheet and sang carols well past midnight! A few of her girls spent the night, and we busily played Santa and filled stockings for them! I missed celebrating Christmas Eve at my Grandma's house like last year, but this Christmas was also incredibly special for so many reasons. Here's some pictures of the festivities, and also some pics of our Christmas decorations!
Janelle found our fake tree at a yardsale of some missionaries who were leaving! Many handmade Rwandan ornaments (I love the carved birds from wood!), some ornaments from Kenya, and Janelle baked the oranges and hung them so nicely!
Joseph as Father Christmas!
This sweet boy, Kelly, has been in the hospital battling cancer for 4 out of his 6 years of life. But his cancer is now in remission for 5 months!
Christmas peace bowls, handmade by the ladies at the market!
This star was a gift to me by one of my students, Joshua. It's handmade with beads and rolled up recycled paper! Beautiful!
Rwandan angel on top!
My Rwandan Nativity scene made from Banana bark
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