I love Christmas in Africa. Especially in this small beautiful country that has become my home. Christmas is obviously special anywhere you spend it, and as much as I would love to spend it with family and to see my sweet nephew tearing open his gifts, and spend Christmas Eve taking in the smells and memories of Grandma's basement....I think Christmas in Rwanda is the next best thing. The one thing that makes it so special and unique here is the PEOPLE and the COMMUNITY. That's what this day is about. People and communities coming together to worship and spend time with one another and celebrate the birth of our Savior, our Savior who came for all of us, all tribes, all ethnicities, all people.
And this Christmas was another beautiful FULL one, packed with many visits and greetings and hand shakes and hugs and simple gifts and gatherings. I saw so many people I do life with here and love.
We began the day worshiping at Christ Church Rwanda and witnessing beautiful baptisms as people are raised to new life. What a day to be baptized! I enjoyed a Christmas brunch at the Stevens house, complete with REAL bacon shipped in from Texas and REAL biscuits and gravy! :) (I delight in the simple things, as you can tell.) Then, I had the most enjoyable time talking with the soldiers and guards in my neighborhood and singing carols and eating sweets with them. They work so hard every day of the year and I loved seeing them enjoy cookies and sodas, which are such special treats!
You know, the longer I live here, the more special Christmas becomes to me here. I'm sure that's true in any place.
Then, I ventured out to Beatrice's village to spend time with her precious family, her husband Sylvester and daughter Karia. Beatrice takes such good care of us and spends her days washing and serving and loving us well at our homes, while we teach and love the students. I'm so thankful for her! Being with all of these people filled my heart full this Christmas, and reminded me just how much God has blessed me with an incredible community near and far!
After the village, I had Christmas dinner with one of my favorite families, the Lindens, and their sweet little girls. They hosted many people from church and we sang Happy Birthday to Jesus and celebrated with dancing and impromptu karaoke by their little ones. :) What fun and joy! I spent the night opening cards from my church home in the U.S., and then Skyped with all my siblings and loved ones in my other home! What a blessing! I'm so thankful I get to share my life with these beautiful people in Rwanda, and also with my family far away. This Christmas was so rich and so good!
Thank you Jesus for coming to this world as a tiny baby, so that we can come to one another in rich community. Thank you for this life!
