For Christmas This Year

There is nothing like a children's christmas program to bring out the festiveness of the season.  One of the songs performed at the West Nairobi School on Friday was "For Christmas this year" by TobyMac.  It got me thinking what will Christmas bring this year?  

So far I was blessed with a trip to Kenya thanks to an early christmas gift from family.  I am not sure I coud have asked for a better gift as this includes rest, relaxation, adventures, and cooler weather.  The evening temperatures have been down in the 50's which is quite chilly when you are used to 80 degree weather and only brought clothes for the 80's.  It has also been rainy at night so great sleeping weather.

ADVENTURES.. Besides spending time at school with Stacey and meeting lots of new friends... we went to the baby elephant orphanage and got to play with baby elephants, see a gazelle as well as a family of warthogs.... then we went to feed giraffes... went to a Christmas craft fair yesterday and then to  the ballet where some of Stacey's students were performing.  Also went to the slums to assist in passing out christmas buckets.

RELAXATION...After living in the village for the past 3 months there are certain things that you start to miss... on Thursday we went to Junction where we had Subway for lunch before doing some window shopping and going to see Catching Fire... the new Hunger Games movie... picked up a few things at Nakumatt that they don't carry in Kampala then went to get frozen yogurt.  Have enjoyed the time to be on vacation!

REST...Living in the village in an apartment attached to the clinic it seems that unless I pull all the curtains and lock the door that I always have visitors...either staff coming to visit...or little brown eyed cuties calling "Mamma Angela" ...or teachers in need of supplies.  It has been realy nice to rest in quietness and peace for a week.  Stacey has quite a collection of movies so it has been fun to sit and watch some old favorites like miracle on 34th street and white Christmas.   It has also been nice to have no agenda and be able to help in the teachers classrooms.  Gleaning some new ideas to take back to the village.

This trip has been a blessing in so many ways... from hot showers to meeting new friends to God providing above and beyond what I could ask or imagine.  It seems like each time I travel I have the privilege of meeting new people and building friendships!