Waking up early to the hustle and bustle of neighbors getting ready for Christmas and the drums and singing of celebration. Receiving a morning phone call from my family, who stayed up late to call and sing "O Come All Ye Faithful" to me. Making omelets for Pat, Heidi, Ashley, and myself, and eating about half of the kringle (a scrumptious combination of butter and sugar and probably a few other token ingredients) that Ashley made. Exchanging gifts and opening stockings with them after breakfast. Three hours of church, full of dancing, singing, and general joyfulness. A dance party in my house for a bunch of the local kids. A great steak dinner at the Myhre's with the whole team, followed by an all-team soccer game and delicious desserts. Another dance party, this time with the Myhre and Pierce kids. Watching the Grinch and Cinderella Man (not exactly a Christmas classic but one of my favorite movies), and talking to family again at night. A great day.
One thing in particular stuck out - I really enjoyed the church service. Oftentimes, I find myself struggling through church, either because I barely understand what's going on or because I find the preaching... less than encouraging. But the Christmas service was beautiful. I especially loved the group children that got up to sing and dance, partly because I'm friends with many of them. Their smiles and joy were contagious, and I've decided that my (roughly 7-8 year old) neighbor Charity is in fact the cutest boy I've ever seen, a conclusion that was reinforced by his dancing and his role as a shepherd in a little Christmas skit. The thing that struck me most was the preaching, though. While it often, depending on who is preaching, can become a rant against alcohol and smoking or something like that, this message was a great telling of the coming Kingdom which we await. I especially liked one illustration that I found put very eloquently. The pastor said that, today we would feast on chicken and beef and rice (all of which are rather expensive), but that it would only satisfy us for today. However, one day, when the Kindgom of God is here, we will have a feast which is satisfy forever: "That chicken is forever! That beef is forever!" Eternal chicken... an unusual concept, but here, where hunger is a reality and meat is a luxury, I though it was a great description of what the Kingdom of God will mean to people here.
4 comments:
From Matthew Millard:
Dear Nathan
It's me Matt. Remember, you met me when you came to our house for dinner. I am very proud that you are learning how to help the people in Africa by helping reduce the spread of disease, especially ebola. We read your last letter. I was pretty concerned about what you said about ebola. I would also like to help make africa a better place like what you are doing. Also, Obama has won the presidency and I'm pretty sure that he is going to help out too! Good luck Nathan- your friend Matthew
hey nathan its Josie
In school im learning about child labor in Africa and when the children go in to the pitt mines and my teacher showed us a video about the pitts and it was very upsetting learning about that kind of stuff but one of the kids found a mechanic and asked if he could teach him how to fix car so he could work for him. The boy was able to leave the pitts and he asked the mechanic if his friends could learn how to fix cars too. im glad the kids there dont live like that or do they - Josie
hi it's daisy.
We've been checking up on you as you can see. It's good to hear that your experience has been fruitful in it's up's and down's. Your christmas tree's probably one of the best I've seen yet! Haha... I hope you stay strong and don't loose heart amidst what it around you!
Hi Nathan,
What an interesting time you are having and what a wonderful opportunity to grow and stretch to your full potential in Christ. You will remember these years and cherish them. Sounds to me that the Christmas Spirit is alive and well in Africa. We are well here amid the turmoil. We are reaping the rewards of mindless management of our nation. But hope that it will teach several generations some valuable lessons. I am sure that the perspective that you are experiencing will enable you to make wonderful use of your time here on earth!
Sara-Jane.
It's me, John-
Your hike up to 16,763 feet was your christmas present (judging by your articulate and ecstatic account of the trek)! What better way to acclimatize than to contrast your trip to Kampala with a follow-up trip to the summit. Now you know that Bundi and it's people are somewhere between heaven and Kampala.
Your elusive views of the mountain peaks that refused to be photo'd due to clouds is a clue that the most majestic as well as the most maddening experiences that you will have during your two years in BundiBug will remain with you privately and not easily communicated to us outsiders. If it were me, I would find this supremely rewarding to know that despite my best attempts to say "I had this happen..." were obscured by
words (and clouds) so that the only true account of the events was in my memory of them...then I know there is only One who I can share those memories with in living color and meaning, whether those be sorrowful memories or those be ecstatic ones.
The other good news is the safe return from such a high climb! I still am amazed that you were able to go there and return to tell the tale! No doubt your life sense of danger was heightened while en route to the summit, knowing that there was no air rescue or other means of insurance. Still these are the risks worth taking when your 22 year old sense of immortality is undaunted and you return safely, only to find poisonous snakes and club wielding neighbors in your back yard.
It only serves to remind you that seeking to save your life focuses you on risk in all circumstances while losing your life abandons you to the divine providence of Jesus.
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