Well, this is it, Christmas Eve. The time for parties, family, and friends has been upon everyone for quite some time. I keep thinking back to how Christmas would be in the US, versus in Kenya. Though I miss the lights, the friends, the trees, the snow (and to some extent the fog), it's good to have a different experience.
On Christmas day my family will be heading over to a village outside of Kisumu, Kenya in order to experience a "traditional Kenyan Christmas". It's going to be quite a bit different then anything I, or anything many of my friends and family, have experienced before. The house was built out of mud, by the couple living there, the roads are barely passable after heavy rains, and presents come sometimes in the form of a soda.
On the plane from San Francisco to London I read an article (you can read it here) in the inflight magazine about one of the largest department stores in the world. It's name is Harrods, and basically is a full sized mall, but it's just one store. Over 300 departments, 28 restaurants, anything and everything you can immagine can pretty much be bought there. Even some unusual presents, such as Elephants and, once, an aligator, can be purchased. They offer genuine leather wrapping paper for about $1,400 a roll, specialty sweets have been wait-listed for months, etc... You get the picture.
But why bring this up? Well first, I thought it was fascinating, so I wanted to share, and secondly, it just boggles me that we can be so, indifferent? Don't get me wrong, I love Christmas, it's one of my favorite times of the year and next year I'm sure I will be back among the pack, buying presents for family and friends. (Though no one should be expecting an elephant or anything like that ;)) Often we forget, not why we celebrate Christmas; I'm sure most of you probably read the Christmas story, or will attend a Christmas church service, or something to that effect tomorrow, but we forget about the poor. In the US we may be 'poor' but to someone in Kenya, you're their richest friend. While in the US and most of the western world presents are pretty much expected this time of the year, whether from friends or family, in Kenya there is the possibility you just might get one.
One of the staff members at Agape told Chris Page, one of the other missionaries serving at Agape, that the only time he would have soda was on Christmas day, as his present.
We are blessed, and this is a time of year to give thanks for what we have been blessed with! It is a time for celebration, food, gifts family, and friends. So have a great Christmas! I just wanted you to keep in mind that you are truly blessed. I love and miss you all this holiday season.
From Kisumu,
Nick, the Towheaded Rambler
P.S. Here is one of my favorite Christmas songs. Enjoy!
On the plane from San Francisco to London I read an article (you can read it here) in the inflight magazine about one of the largest department stores in the world. It's name is Harrods, and basically is a full sized mall, but it's just one store. Over 300 departments, 28 restaurants, anything and everything you can immagine can pretty much be bought there. Even some unusual presents, such as Elephants and, once, an aligator, can be purchased. They offer genuine leather wrapping paper for about $1,400 a roll, specialty sweets have been wait-listed for months, etc... You get the picture.
But why bring this up? Well first, I thought it was fascinating, so I wanted to share, and secondly, it just boggles me that we can be so, indifferent? Don't get me wrong, I love Christmas, it's one of my favorite times of the year and next year I'm sure I will be back among the pack, buying presents for family and friends. (Though no one should be expecting an elephant or anything like that ;)) Often we forget, not why we celebrate Christmas; I'm sure most of you probably read the Christmas story, or will attend a Christmas church service, or something to that effect tomorrow, but we forget about the poor. In the US we may be 'poor' but to someone in Kenya, you're their richest friend. While in the US and most of the western world presents are pretty much expected this time of the year, whether from friends or family, in Kenya there is the possibility you just might get one.
One of the staff members at Agape told Chris Page, one of the other missionaries serving at Agape, that the only time he would have soda was on Christmas day, as his present.
We are blessed, and this is a time of year to give thanks for what we have been blessed with! It is a time for celebration, food, gifts family, and friends. So have a great Christmas! I just wanted you to keep in mind that you are truly blessed. I love and miss you all this holiday season.
From Kisumu,
Nick, the Towheaded Rambler
P.S. Here is one of my favorite Christmas songs. Enjoy!
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