Christmas 2013

2013 Christmas Tree (with Gifts)

 This is my second Christmas in Tanzania. While it is hard to be away from all the people i love back home, it is a time of joy here as well. Getting to experience Christmas with the kids and seeing a whole new appreciation and joy in their eyes, is such a beautiful thing. I wouldn't trade it for the world. We did Christmas a little early this year because the kids were heading to their homes on Saturday (Dec 21). I wanted to give them a chance to enjoy their gifts because they would not be taking them to their homes. (Sometimes nice things don't come back.) They received such simple gifts (by American standards) but the joy that it brings these children is so touching. I love to be surrounded by that kind of amazement and wonder, especially when its coming from children who don't have a whole lot, and who have seen such deep sorrow.

Children with their gifts on, Courtesy of employees at Clackamas County Jail.

When the families came to get the children I couldn't help but be sad to see them all go. I just got back, but i know that they love to go home. I know that while their lives at home are not as luxurious as what they receive from Sunrise, they enjoy being back in their roots, and I am so happy that they have a chance to have both lives. That they can be reminded of where they came from and yet know that their futures are bright and I want to give them the world.

Franki, Yona, Eliza, Jeneti, Elisha

As each family came to take their child many of them invited me to their houses for Christmas. I feel truly blessed here and loved, not only by my children but also by their beautiful families who just want to give and give more. This place feels more like home all of the time.

Franki, Elia, Lukemelo, Sesi

I went to the village soccer game on Sunday evening. It was Uhekule vs The taxi Drivers. As i was walking past the field to Kay's house I hear children shouting "Court-ta-ney! Court-ta-ney!" Three of my boys are running across the field towards me as fast as they can. They all reach me and give me big hugs and kisses. It's only been a day since I have seen them, but I can't help but feel the same way. The need to run across the field for some love, even when its been less than 24 hours since I last saw them. That is what my life is like here. Love, all of the time.

Silly Ima

It poured the entire soccer game. I mean every bit of the two hours. I had a small umbrella that 3 of my children were also trying to get under. There were puddles all over the field that the ball often got stopped in, and made for a slip and slide for the players trying to get to it. Everyone was drenched after the game but it was too good to miss. I love living in a village, and having that community. Plus i was able to see a lot of my friends who I hadn't yet seen. What a welcome home.

When I ran into the Village Chief he was very excited to see me. Although he thought I had been in Njombe for six weeks. I told him that i had gone to America and he said, "Pole sana!" (so sorry) and laughed. Oh how I love Tanzania!

I went to Njombe for Christmas, it was time for my new tradition of skyping my family! This year I had a friend to celebrate it with; Angel and Brodyn. We had the brilliant idea of buying chicken and cooking it for Christmas dinner. We were having some friends over from the village and wanted to make it a little more special. That being said you can't buy chicken from the grocery store, already dead, nicely packaged. Nope. What you buy is a live chicken package the Tanzanian way... Legs tied in a black plastic bag. It still moves, it still makes noise, it's still alive. We brought it home and it had managed to get its feet out of the bag and was moving in circles on the living room floor. If Angel and I had to kill it ourselves it would probably still be alive and be our pet, but we had a neighbor do the honors for us. What a beautiful scene it was. Oh Christmas in Tanzania!

I'll be returning to Uhekule in a few days, and the children return on saturday (Jan 4, 2014). Can you believe its almost a new year??