~Joys Before Christmas~

Christmas!? Where's the snow? It gets quite cold in the mornings and nights, but warm in the day time. It's a different, yet lovely Christmas! I'll share some highlights of the joys before Christmas...

The last two weeks

My family and I were enjoying the rest of the evening after worship one day two weeks ago when we began to hear a bunch of singing. We thought that it might be coming from the chapel because the lights were on or from the boys dorm because the boys sing a lot and for all their worth. I didn't think much of it until I stepped onto our front porch and heard not only singing but clapping. Odd, I wonder what's going on down there? Mom and I decided to go investigate. To our surprise just as we approached the children's (Adam's) home, all of the boys, Josiah Adams, thara Eh Keh Nyaw, and thara Timothy had just finished caroling there and were on their way to the cook's home. They had already been to some other staff homes before the children's home and were making their way around the campus. Thara Eh Keh Nyaw invited mom and I to join them. Mom and I followed them around for a while until we decided that we had better get to our house before the "gang" of boys got there. Dad was doing some visiting, and Hannah was enjoying herself at home.

I quickly got up to the house and told Hannah about it. She was like I "What?..."*excitement*. Mom arrived shortly after me (dad got back during the caroling) and joined me and Hannah on our porch. This was exciting!

It wasn't long before the boys and the girls were coming up the stairs to our home. My face was beaming as I looked at their shining faces.

They all started out saying, "Merry Christmas, to you all!" and then sang Merry Christmas in English and Karen, and then a few other songs. After a song, we were asked to pick someone to do a special song. I picked an older boy, Saw Dee Yay, who was hiding from us and he picked Nay Kaw Htoo to sing with him. It was very nice.

What a very special surprise to start off the Christmas holiday!!! Thanks "poh quah" (school boys) and teachers!

_______________________ 

And that event wasn't the end of caroling. We have gone caroling twice to Doh Wah, a near-by village. The villagers and, of course those of us who went, loved it. I was surprised at how many donations were sacrificially given even though we didn't ask for them. Sometimes, or maybe I should say most times, it is the genuinely poor people who give the most--not in amount but sacrificially from their hearts--and who shew the most gratitude.

It was very special seeing and singing to and praying for several of our day students and their families who live in Doh Wah. My family and I sang Silent Night at Naw Blet Wah's home. Some of our cute, little Kindergartners clung onto me as we went from one house to another. Their little hands were clasped into mine. They'd smile big at me, say something to me in Karen, and then laugh about...well, I don't know. What precious moments.  

Praise the Lord! We were able to give the book Steps to Christ in the Karen language to nearly every family.

Yesterday

Anna Adams, Deh Gwah Moh (our cook), several girls, and I had fun decorating the chapel for Christmas. And, we do have a Christmas tree...it just looks a bit different--it has a jungle twist to it.

Now, you may be wanting to see some pictures, but sorry, you'll just have to wait until I get them onto my picasa web albums. Click on my picture slideshow on my blog to get to my albums. I hope to get the pictures up there soon; however, it may not be until after Christmas.

Today

Some people from Chiang Mai Adventist Academy and the Knecht family (missionaries) are arriving. They will be spending Christmas with us and will be a part of a special program on Christmas day.

A lovely Merry Christmas to each of you! *smiles*