We knew this was going to be a Christmas of new traditions and a new style of celebrating and we prayed that even though we were far away from family, that we would be able to embrace where God has placed us and celebrate with the people around us. We are thankful for the way that those prayers were answered. We still missed our family but we had a good day.
Our celebrations began Christmas Eve when we spent the evening with the other families on our compound enjoying a BBQ together, followed by singing and scripture, then ending with desserts up at our place.
Tropical Christmas BBQ
Some of our neighbours
Some pre - dinner crosswords and colouring
Our Christmas Eve service together with carols, scripture and candles.
And yummy desserts up at our place.
Then Christmas Day we enjoyed a quiet morning at home before we headed out for the afternoon for dinner with some of the other MAF families.
Christmas Morning pancake breakfast
Dinner outside on the porch with friends
After dinner entertainment from each family.
The girls represented our family and did the "Laughing song"
Of all our new traditions I think Christmas Eve was the highlight. As we sang carols and read the account of Christ's birth in Matthew, surrounded by new friends, we were reminded that it doesn't matter where you are, the message is still the same. That God sent His Son to the world, to be our Saviour, the greatest gift of all.
