It’s Christmas Eve, 9:22
p.m. in East Africa . It’s long been dark and
Sara and I are just getting ready for bed, scrubbing off the dirt of the day in
shower. Just another day here, but definitely not the Christmas Eve I’m used to.
Today, we finished getting ready for Christmas – a job we
have had since we got here and it really has been an undertaking. We have made
our lists and checked them way more than twice, hoping every kid is accounted
for and putting a lot of thought into each of the 200+ gift bags.
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| Part of our soccer crew |
Together, with Tony ( a volunteer from California ,
who had spent the past couple Christmas’ here) and Arlene (a volunteer from New
York ), we finished decorating the room we will
hosting the kids in and it looks great! We even had time to play soccer with
the older boys at Pilgrams. I say “play” very loosely, as they don’t trust
enough to pass to us – might be all the screaming we do when balls come near
our faces.
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| Tony and Sara - expert decorators of African Christmas |
It’s hard to believe our time here again is nearly to an end
and that we actually are ready for Christmas. Everyone tells us that this is
the most ready they have ever been – so we’re excited. All the Zawadis (gifts)
are ready and we are anxious – like kids waiting for Santa! But we’re waiting
to play Santa.
Mostly, we’re excited to see the kids’ faces and just spend
time with them tomorrow. Christmas like we Westerners know it, is not the
tradition in Tanzania ,
but we hope they will think it’s very special.
We’ll let you know tomorrow. Wishing you all a wonderful
Christmas from East Africa ! Abby and Sara
Sounds like you are making it very special for a bunch of very special kids. You two are awesome! Love you both, Merry Christmas!
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