Greetings from South Sudan! It is hard to believe that tomorrow is Christmas Eve, especially when it is over 100 degrees during the day!
The question that Fr. David, our parish priest, has been asking in almost every homily during Advent has been "are you ready"? Are you ready for Christ to come into your life on Christmas? Advent is the time of preparation and I have had lots to prepare for over the last couple of weeks. While most of the preparation has been for Christmas and the birth of Jesus, there have also been preparations for midterm exams (which finished up this past Friday), and there have also been preparations for my dad's visit and our pilgrimage to the Holy Land in less than a week. So many things to be excited and thankful for!
This morning over breakfast, Tom and I were talking about how today would be such a good day in America. We would spend time with family and friends, watch some football, and enjoy the snow. We discussed how different it was than in America and how it doesn't feel like Christmas due to the hot weather, not being with our family, and a lack of Christmas lights and trees. It's different, but it is a good different. Johnny, a volunteer from Italy, then beautifully stated, "But guys, the work you are doing here is so wonderful. The joy you are sharing with all of the children, you are helping children that desperately need the help and true presence that you are providing." It reminded me of a song that we have been singing while caroling in the villages titled "Christmas is a time to love." So true. Christmas is about what is in out hearts, not about snow, trees, or what's on TV. Christmas is a time to love.
This will probably be the last post of the year until I return from the Holy Land, but I wish you all a very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! God bless!
Saturday, December 22, 2012
Saturday, December 8, 2012
Santa! I know him!
Greetings from South Sudan! Things are getting very busy here! In the school, we are preparing for midterm exams, which start this Friday and will continue all next week. Being the the computer whiz and fast typer that I apparently am (if you're from America, you're great with computers), I have been in charge of typing all of the exams for the teachers and proofreading them for any errors and making the necessary corrections. It is time consuming and tedious, but I just put on some good Christmas music, and the time flies. I am anxious to see the performance of my students, as they are doing really well when we review.
The other big thing coming up starting Monday for the next two weeks we will be having a summer camp for the children. It will be in the morning and we will offer classes such as English, singing, arts and crafts, and Catechism. We will also be playing games and feeding the kids a breakfast (for most it will be their only meal of the day). This is such a big thing for the kids, as our primary school is now on summer break. Don Bosco, the founder of the Salesians, once said that "an idle mind is the devil's workshop" and the summer camp is a way to keep our kids busy and give them a positive way to fill their free time. It will be a fun and educational filled two weeks!
This past week we traveled to different villages to sing Christmas carols and Santa came too! I got to dress up as Santa for 2 of the days, and Tom and Jofin, the other volunteers, dressed up the other days. It was an absolute blast to be with everyone. None of the children knew who Santa was, but they really didn't care who this strange man in a beard and red suit was because he had candy! It was hilarious as I would yell "Ho! Ho! Ho!" and the young children would repeat with their angelic voices "Ho! Ho! Ho!". Most of them were excited, while some scared to death (just like in America!). It was such a beautiful moment to hear the singing of all the people as the smiles never left their face. We sang songs, danced with all of the "mama's", played with the kids, walked around to the houses, and shared joy. However, by far the best moment was when we had everyone come up and kiss the baby Jesus. They lined up in one line and one by one they bowed before the baby Jesus and gave him a kiss. You could tell by the reverence and respect they showed that they knew 100% in their blessed hearts that this is what Christmas was all about.
I thank you all for all of the kind words, prayer, and support. You have no idea how much they mean to me and how much strength they give me. God bless!
The other big thing coming up starting Monday for the next two weeks we will be having a summer camp for the children. It will be in the morning and we will offer classes such as English, singing, arts and crafts, and Catechism. We will also be playing games and feeding the kids a breakfast (for most it will be their only meal of the day). This is such a big thing for the kids, as our primary school is now on summer break. Don Bosco, the founder of the Salesians, once said that "an idle mind is the devil's workshop" and the summer camp is a way to keep our kids busy and give them a positive way to fill their free time. It will be a fun and educational filled two weeks!
This past week we traveled to different villages to sing Christmas carols and Santa came too! I got to dress up as Santa for 2 of the days, and Tom and Jofin, the other volunteers, dressed up the other days. It was an absolute blast to be with everyone. None of the children knew who Santa was, but they really didn't care who this strange man in a beard and red suit was because he had candy! It was hilarious as I would yell "Ho! Ho! Ho!" and the young children would repeat with their angelic voices "Ho! Ho! Ho!". Most of them were excited, while some scared to death (just like in America!). It was such a beautiful moment to hear the singing of all the people as the smiles never left their face. We sang songs, danced with all of the "mama's", played with the kids, walked around to the houses, and shared joy. However, by far the best moment was when we had everyone come up and kiss the baby Jesus. They lined up in one line and one by one they bowed before the baby Jesus and gave him a kiss. You could tell by the reverence and respect they showed that they knew 100% in their blessed hearts that this is what Christmas was all about.
I thank you all for all of the kind words, prayer, and support. You have no idea how much they mean to me and how much strength they give me. God bless!
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