Christmas morning in Kenya started with my favorite meal of
the day aka Breakfast! Breakfast was comprised of Christmas bacon and eggs as
well as Christmas Mangos. Nairobi Chapel’s joint Christmas service started at
10:30 with Christmas carols to open and a message about the meaning of
Christmas. The afternoon finished with a Christmas lunch at our sight
coordinator’s house.
In many ways this meal was similar to what you might have in
the United States on Christmas with a little twist. I had turkey, stuffing,
sweet potatoes, salad, spiced rice, beef ribs, macaroni and cheese, christmas
cookies, carrot cake, apple pie, and red velvet cake. The best part of it was
sharing the meal with my group of YAVs as well as Bob and Kristi Rice
(Presbyterian Mission Co-workers). I definitely ate too much and we stayed well
into the afternoon.
The day ended with and exchange of gifts. Us YAVs had done
Secret Santa and after we finished eating Christmas lunch/dinner we gave our
gifts to one another. It was great to have everyone there and take a picture in
front of the Christmas tree. And just as I thought that the night couldn’t get
better, Phyllis sent us home with left over cookies and cake!
Although it was nice being with the other YAVs, Phyllis’s
family, and friends, there were still things that I missed having this year.
One of the major differences with having Christmas in the southern hemisphere
is that the weather is hot and sunny. It seemed vary strange to have a warm and
bright weather on Christmas when you are use to having cooler temperatures.
Another part of Christmas that I missed this year is the
public expression. While people in Kenya may celebrate Christmas to a larger
extent in their own homes, you don’t tend to see many public expressions of
Christmas decorations as you drive around the city. The exceptions are mostly
the Malls where there are lights strung up and Christmas trees. Most of the
houses in Kenya have protective wall with a gate at the front, which don’t
allow you to see inside. But even the apartments that have balconies or the
windows looking out to the road don’t have any lights or Christmas decorations
hanging in or around them. This provides for a very different environment in
which to have Christmas.
This has led me to ponder if we YAVs are part of very few
people how really like to celebrate Christmas both publically and privately.
However, this is truly false because everyone I spoke with ask me if I had had
a nice Christmas. I even received calls from people from my office that wanted
to tell me Merry Christmas and ask how my Christmas has gone.
In conclusion I want to send some shout outs to the world
best parents Ruth & Hunter, Ndaya, Andrew, Lloyd-Sidles, Brand Clan, Kaku
& Grand Paw Max, Jess & Derek, Doug & Christina, Beth, Meredith, Wesley,
Paw Paw & June, The Farrell’s, The Irby’s, Crescent Hill Pres, The Welches,
Bethany, and Chela.
Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to you too Will! - Luta
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