Christmas Day in Malawi was beautiful.
Carter - just a little excited
never say "never" - Claire Marin got Marie Claire's cell phone!
We all woke up at the usual time, around 6am. The kids open their stockings (rain boots set by the door for Father Christmas) and were thrilled to hear that they didn’t have to wait until after church to open their presents… just until we had made coffee!
The tradition in Malawi is to worship together on Christmas morning so we bathed and put on our Christmas best and headed to Galilea UMC. My heart jumped as I walked into the simple church to see streamers draped from the ceiling, balloons hung from streamers and an evergreen branch propped in the corner with gum on the branches for the children.
Galilea United Methodist Church
As the sanctuary filled with people, “Christmas ya bwino” filled the space and smiles brightened the room. Carter generously allowed me to tear pages from one of his new coloring books for each of the children and 20 children shared 12 crayons to color them. The pastor’s wife passed out stickers to adults and children alike. It appeared that there was no set time to start worship, just the wonderful fellowship of friends and Christian brothers and sisters.
Worship was filled with singing and a wonderful message from Pastor Kaunda about the humble beginnings of Jesus so that no one would feel that salvation was too expensive or that anyone was unworthy of God’s gracious gift.
Before the benediction, one of the youth came forward to pass out the “Secret Santa” gifts that members had placed under the tree as they arrived. As each gift was picked up, the gift giver came forward and the gift recipient was called out. The person stood in the congregation and came forward – some shyly, some with a skip in their step, some on their mother’s hips or hiding behind skirts, and others running with open arms. On condition of a hug, the gift was given. It was beautiful to see children, youth, men and women embrace and receive these gifts. There was laughter and applause and aaahhs all morning as the gifts were shared.
Jeff was Alinane's Secret Santa
now that's Christmas spirit
And that was only the beginning of our day… Rev. Mhone and Moty are in Zimbabwe on holiday so the young people from their house joined us for the day. We ate well, played lots of games, laughed and prayed together.
Bethel and Elvyn cooked food to bring for lunch and Elvyn insisted on cleaning the kitchen after we were through. And she and Jeff compared recipes in the kitchen and talked about school while she did so.
We played Uno and Toss Up, Swipe, and bawo (Malawian mancala). Sibling rivalry only influenced strategy a few times and Bethel’s luck was amazing – until it wasn’t! The game that stumped them all was Boggle. But I like to win, so that worked out well for me.
Chimango, Bethel and Innocentl Mhone
bawo!!! Sibogale and Elvyn
We almost have Monsters vs Aliens memorized already
Sibogale and Claire Marin played all day too. Sometimes joining the big kids for games or doing myriad art projects in Claire’s room. I think it was nice for both girls to have someone their own change to be with all day.
Carter made a fast friend with Francis. Francis is the oldest of three orphaned brothers. He stays with the Mhone’s on holidays from Joyce Banda Foundation Secondary School where Moty teaches. We have come to know him through brief visits and Bible study as a mature and wise young man. But Christmas day he won a special place in our hearts building lego trains, kicking the football, tolerating his magnetic block houses being smashed and watching movies with Carter. As we finished a dinner of leftovers he told us that he decided that day to “open himself up to Carter and he was so glad that he did. Carter is a good kid. And thank you for today.”
Francis and Carter
These young people – Chimango, Bethel, Innocent, Elvyn, Francis and Sibologe – are our family here in Blantyre and the conversation, jokes and relaxing together felt amazingly like many other Christmases. It was another day of grace and gift on this journey in Malawi.
Our greatest sadness was that our internet “ran out” so we didn’t get to Skype with family. But we talked on the phone the 25th and 26th and it was wonderful to hear everyone’s voices.
2009 will be remembered as a very, merry Christmas!
I’m so glad you had such a happy Christmas. Your warm hospitality and graciousness are bringing you new family and friends, and it just amazes me to read about your experiences, often turning potential sadness into joy. Journeying with you through ADvent has been one of the highlights of this season for me. Thank you. And you are in my prayers for continued blessings. You are blessing us by sharing. Much love, Linda
Your Christmas day in Malawi sounds like it was a warm, wonderful experience and the pictures of all the smiling faces and hugs are heartwarming! We send many blessings for the future and even without Skype we were able to hear all your voices over the phone which made you all seem a little closer to us. We love all of you so very much. Merry Christmas 2009!