Christmas in Kalacha!

The celebrating started Christmas Eve! Our team had a big Christmas dinner pot luck style in the afternoon... with all sorts of yummy foods and Angie even surprised us with some amazing pies! Aunty Joyce, I use to think you were the world's best pie maker... but I think Angie is a big threat to your coveted title!!!

After a nice afternoon and some good food we waited for the sun to go down so that we could have some

FIREWORKS!

Yes I know fireworks are not cultural, and the people had never seen them before but it was a great way to attract people, giving us a chance to share why we celebrate Christmas! Why every year we make such a big deal about Jesus who was born 2008 years ago...

After the fireworks we headed to the church where the fun began! Songs, teaching and then some very entertaining dramas!!! Even though they were in swahili or Gabra I sitll caught most of the meaning and had many laughs! We were there till midnight... we had a big count-down and then a huge cheer for Christmas and some more songs!!!

Christmas morning Barbara and I listened to Christmas music such as 'Let it Snow' and 'I'm Dreaming of a White Christmas'. I nursed my cup of HOT APPLE CIDER (that my wonderful mother sent me) and thought cold thoughts, imagined snow and pictured a Christmas tree...

Off to church at 9 for a nice service of songs and a funny drama. Everyone stayed for Chai after wards, sitting outside in randoms bits of shade.

The afternoon is too hot to do much more than rest (+35Cish). I did managed to join a game of crazy UNO as we waited for the sun to slack off its intensity. Games followed at church; ladder gold, tug-of-war, ultimate Frisbee and volleyball. I enjoyed watching the women win the tug-of-war contest!

Once the sun went down we all came together again to eat! Rice topped with goat, potaotes and onions... yummy! Eating here is a bit different; 6 people share a big plate and you eat with your hands. Lets just say it takes practice!

And just for the fun of it we had more fireworks to end a really great day!

Since I don't really enjoy typing I think I will just post some pics!

Steve, Angie, Ezikiel and their Charlie Brown tree!

Yay for people who can cook!

Our little sister, Jillo, smiling back at us at church!

King Herod and his guards during the drama.

Enjoying the drama!

Chai time for all! No one ever sits in the sun!

Parties and big functions are the only time you ever see guys serving.

Relaxing at Pastor John's house.