As most of you are wearing your winter coats and preparing for a chilly Christmas week, hopefully with loved ones gathered around, we’re on the top of a mountain in the middle of the middle of Africa with the sun shining down (or rain falling) and slight breeze blowing. It doesn’t quite feel like the Christmas season the same to us, but we have made it our own this year! We do have a few gifts my parents brought to Kenya and a few we bought in Kenya plus we will still be able to make our traditional Jesus Birthday Cake on Christmas morning! We will probably watch Lifepoint’s Christmas Eve service on Christmas Day for us, since the first service will be held at midnight our time.

Other differences this year: there is 1 Christmas tree decorated in the city closest to us, there are no Christmas lights (it’s a country with very little electricity), and there are very, very few Christmas feasts. But, there is still the celebration of what Christmas actually means, celebrating Jesus’ birth-God coming to earth!

We cut down a tree (as we do every year). This one just came from the forest, and not from a Christmas tree farm. We have decorated the house inside and we are celebrating the advent season in excitement and anticipation, just like every year. Here’s some photos of the decor and the one tree in the city, there’s a guard at all times by the tree so no one steals the fake box gifts or the ornaments.

We’re very thankful to be able to celebrate and enjoy the season with those we love here in Burundi and to all those we love in the States, we do miss you and we wish you and yours a very merry Christmas!!!!