MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL !!!

MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL !!

Merry Christmas to everyone stateside – It’s been hotter than we’ve yet experienced in Swaziland, so that makes me happy. Of course, we’re thrilled to have Troy, Dana and Brian visiting with us so we can all celebrate Christmas with the Pasture Valley family. And, our family has grown by 4 – yesterday we welcomed 4 new girls to the home – ages 4, 8, 10, and 12.
It’s been so great to have access to the rental car Dana & Brian rented from Joburg. We’ve had a chance to show them more of Swaziland than can be accessed via local transport or via foot. On Monday we got everybody acclimated to the farm, the children and our life here. Then, on Tuesday we drove northeast and went to Mkhaya Game Reserve. We had a guide drive us around the park in an open land rover for 5 hrs. They don’t have the big cats (aka lion, cheetah), but we saw rhino, hippo, giraffe, elephant, buffalo and much more all up close and personal. It was a great experience.
On Wed. we packed up parcels of food and clothing to take to outlying homesteads in need. We took several of our children along to help. We relied on the local home based care providers that we know to direct us to which specific homesteads need the most help. It was humbling and educational for us all. We tend to get used to life here on the farm, and need to get out and see how many, many Swazis are living a subsistence, true poverty existence.
Thursday was Christmas play practice. I helped Michelle write and script and am madly preparing costumes for all 32 children. We’ve got sheep, shepherds, wise men, Mary, Joseph, angels, king and queen Herod and court and townspeople. This year we’ve even got some dance numbers. The performance is tonight. We’ve invited lots of local friends and family. Afterwards we’ll all sing Christmas carols and then have refreshments & socializing. In Swazi culture, children are taught to speak softly, and to lower their head and not make eye contact. It’s been quite a struggle to get them to speak loudly, enunciate, smile, etc. All a great learning experience for their future.
On Christmas Eve, we’ll have a cookout at lunchtime and open presents with the kids. For lots of reasons, there’s no Christmas Eve church services (no one goes out at night, etc.), and here people can’t understand why Americans generally don’t go to church on Christmas Day. To Swazis, that is what Christmas Day is all about – worshiping God and thanking him for sending his Son to us. My kind of place.
Next week Dana & Brian head for Capetown and we’ll have Troy here with us. He’s really getting into the rhythms of this place and has adjusted very well. We hope all of you will be able to be with your families. Of course, we’re missing Hatcher, Lavinia, Mary, John, Ellen and Kevin, but are so grateful to at least have ½ of our kids here with us.

Merry, Merry Christmas and Happy, healthy new year to you all.

MIKE AND Gail