Merry Christmas, everyone! It has been an incredible experience celebrating Christmas here in Africa. We feel we can identify much more closely to the way it must have been when Jesus was born by being so close to markets, traders, camels, and donkeys ourselves. The camel caravan you see in the picture was taken on Dec. 24 near our compound. This is something that is quite common to see, although not always so close to our place. The picture of the boys with the trader illustrates just how my family enjoys shopping - the mall comes to them, with no parking problems! They have had lots of fun attempting to barter with the various traders, and have loved looking at all the wares for sale. They are learning that when a trader says they need to buy it right now because he won't be back for a long time, that might mean he's back tomorrow or the next day!
Christmas is a very special time here in Niger for the Christian Church. Each church picks out their "uniform material" - which means that all the women and the men have something made out of the same material specially for Christmas Day. 2 of the churches got together to celebrate, and what a celebration! Lots of singing, lots of rhythm, lots of laughter and joy, with lots of neighborhood children peering in the windows to see what was going on. No room left for them to sit down - it was standing room only. We participated in the event, and had outfits made by a tailor here as well, as you can see from the picture. In order to get the outfit made, one must draw the design (no pattern), take your own measurements, and hand it to the tailor. He then sews the outfit and returns it to you most often as specified. Quite an amazing accomplishment. And this time of year he is especially busy. The evening of Dec. 25 was spent with all the people on the hospital compound, with a potluck supper (what a feast), a program and a gift exchange that brought much laughter, and great exercise trying to get the coveted chocolate bars and hang onto them without someone else snatching them from your hands. It was a wonderful time.
Christmas is a very special time here in Niger for the Christian Church. Each church picks out their "uniform material" - which means that all the women and the men have something made out of the same material specially for Christmas Day. 2 of the churches got together to celebrate, and what a celebration! Lots of singing, lots of rhythm, lots of laughter and joy, with lots of neighborhood children peering in the windows to see what was going on. No room left for them to sit down - it was standing room only. We participated in the event, and had outfits made by a tailor here as well, as you can see from the picture. In order to get the outfit made, one must draw the design (no pattern), take your own measurements, and hand it to the tailor. He then sews the outfit and returns it to you most often as specified. Quite an amazing accomplishment. And this time of year he is especially busy. The evening of Dec. 25 was spent with all the people on the hospital compound, with a potluck supper (what a feast), a program and a gift exchange that brought much laughter, and great exercise trying to get the coveted chocolate bars and hang onto them without someone else snatching them from your hands. It was a wonderful time.
2 comments:
We haven't been on much this week, but we have been thinking of you all during the Christmas season. Thank you for sharing your wonderful experiences with us! Wishing you a wonderful New Year,
R, L, D, D, J, C, and C
Hi to the J. Janzen family,love your site keep up the good work and all the good info,wishing all of you a very happy healthy New Year.Armand/Laverne Bourassa
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