Firsts

Christmas morning came, and we were able to light the final candle in our unconventional advent wreath. (The tiny wreath around the white candle was made from a limb of our Christmas tree that fell off.)

After hymns and presents and a big breakfast with friends, it was time to head to the dining hall for Christmas lunch with all the kids.

Each cottage has its own table where the families eat together.  There were enough missionaries and visitors to put one guest at each table with a family.  Cottage Bethel asked me to come and join them at their table.  I couldn't have been more delighted to sit with Momma Ruth and her girls.

The kitchen staff had prepared all the food and placed it on the tables, ready for dishing up.  In Kenya, the tradition is that the mother serves everyone else's plate before her own.  The mommas did not pass dishes around, they walked around and served each member at the table.  That meant that Momma Ruth filled my bowl to the top with stew and gave me a potato the size of Mt. Kenya.  I asked her if I might be allowed to help her serve and she graciously agreed.  I grabbed the tray of roasted goat and started dividing it out.  I gave Momma Ruth the huge section of ribs, and I gave myself three small pieces.

During the meal, I quizzed the girls on their favorite Christmas carols and what they thought about moving up a class in January.  Also during the meal, Momma Ruth kept encouraging me to "Eat! Eat!" while I tried to ignore the cinnamon rolls and egg casserole I had eaten for breakfast.  She finally, for the first time ever, told me I was not a good eater.  If she only knew.

Tabitha in her "cheeky monkey" T-shirt sat on my left and loves the carol "Away in a Manger."

Ann on my right hand sucked her Fanta Orange down with relish. This was the biggest treat of all for the kids as everyone got their own soda.  This has never happened before, and for many, it was their first soda. 

I think this Christmas has held a lot of "firsts" for me.  My first 85 degree Christmas.  My first dining hall with 97 orphans who were absolutely so excited they were about to combust Christmas.  My first goat lunch.  And the first Christmas that I haven't been surrounded by Western Christmas traditions at every turn.  It helped me see more clearly what Christmas has always really been about: the birth of the Saviour of the world, God with us.