'Twas the night before Christmas, and all through the house, everyone was stirring, though there was no mouse. The stockings were left in a box by the door, and soon everyone got up on the floor. There was dancing smiling and hugs big and small. It was Christmas at Angel House, for the big and the small.
To the outside world, it may be hard to get into the Christmas spirit in Tarime, Tanzania. It is possible to find a Christmas tree, a spindly, fake one. It is not as easy to find lights and ornaments for it. No houses have big displays, and very few of the businesses. Shades of red and green are hard to find, and it feels downright depressing to hear White Christmas when it is 85 and sunny.
And yet, none of these things get people down. To many, Christmas is considered a holiday for women and children, but families are together, children are celebrated, and the birth of Jesus Christ is front and center.
Out at Angel House, the neighbors from Gamasara village flocked into the main room to share Chrismtas with the kids. There were songs, there were prayers and there was dancing. Everyone danced. Kids danced with adults, missionaries danced with grandmothers, kids danced with each other. By American standards, there may have been too many people in the room, but it was cozy and family style.
Afterwards, most of the kids were still excited, cheering for the Christmas celebration tomorrow. A few had to be put to bed. When they woke in the morning, they did some chores, got in their smart, Christmas clothes and recieved gifts, gifts from America, a big deal! After they opened their gifts, they ate a special Christmas brunch of sweet mandazi and chai with milk. Oh, the life!
They trekked over to church, carefully to keep their shoes clean, and heard the story of the first Christmas. There was much rejoicing by all. There was a special blessing on all of the children, and there were a lot of children present.
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| The face everyone woke up to. Neema singing, Krismasi ni leo! |
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| So excited about her new dress |
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| Three lovely young ladies, Grace, Bhoke and Esther Melisa |
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| Rahabu smiles wide for her Christmas gifts |
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| Paskalia can't believe her good fortune |
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| Bhoke is a lucky girl today |
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| Awe, Kikwete, you look smart |
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| Lucky Grace |
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| Sammy and Joseph |
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| This is how the girls get ready for church |
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| And the boys. |
Lunch was bananas, potatoes, pineapple, pilau, beef, goat, corn and soda, all of their favorite meals thrown into one. There was enough food for everyone to have seconds and even thirds if they wanted. Many did. Afterward, everyone loaded up into the truck and went to Goldland for more soda and dancing. Goldland opens their doors to all of the kids in the community for dancing. The kids danced, and danced and danced some more, until they were ready to go home, many having a hard time keeping their eyes open. It was a Merry Christmas in Tarime, even without elaborate decorations and snow. Maybe the kids get the meaning of Christmas better than anyone.
