Christmas update

Would really love it if someone could tell me where the year 2009 went! Seems I just arrived in Mozambique March 2009 and the year is over already. I trust this update finds you in good health and the holidays were enjoyed with family and friends as we look forward to the greatest year in the Lord - 2010!!

We celebrated Christmas with the children at the enter on December 18th this year. It was a week early - took a little extra thought-processing to 'get in the mood', but we just pretended it was December 25th. Many missionaries were going home for the holidays, however, they wanted to be here with the children - thus the December 18th Christmas. On Christmas Day we had a 'mini olympics' for all the kidz at the center. It was so much fun! Everyone received a 'gold medal'!!

After the kidz ran through all the different challenges, the visitors and a couple of missionaries (one being me!) challenged one another to a couple of the games. With the temperature over 100F, we chose games requiring the use of water. Of course, by mid-afternoon buckets, cups/plastic tall glasses, bottles - anything that could carry water was being used...with more then one of us welcoming a good drenching. The temperatures hovered around 120-125F a few days in December.

Christmas evening the missionaries enjoyed a wonderful pot luck dinner and gift exchange. With so many different countries represented here, the variety of food and tradition is always exciting. We learn so much from and about one another.