Explaining Christmas

It’s that time of year – what’s referred to as “the holidays”. Now that I find myself in a country and culture that is not my own, I am redefining Christmas and what the essential pieces are of “the holidays”. What I mean is that since I’m not surrounded by the western “hustle & bustle” of the whole month of December (or really since the end of October) I find myself evaluating what it is about these special times of year that I miss and what it is that makes them special. There have been a few times when I’ve tried to explain these things to my Malawian friends only to get blank stares and to realize they don’t understand the essence of what Christmas means to me.

Adventists in general here don’t celebrate Christmas except for the gift they might get from their employer or the possible relatives that come for a meal and don’t forget the public holidays granted by the President (more on that later). Otherwise Christmas is considered irrelevant because, after all, Jesus was not born on December 25!! Some I’ve heard even going out of their way NOT to have a special meal on that day to show disdain for such random date setting.

So the essential things that I miss and that I think are the important part of this season is obviously being with family – not just being around on “the day” – but really BEING with them – eating, cooking (especially those two), playing, reading stories, sitting by the fire, explaining the mysteries of Santa, hauling wood, and all the other wintery things that make up life at home (I realize this isn’t the same for everyone – I can only speak for myself and my “home”). I think it is also the comfort of knowing you are surrounded by those who love you and who you love and re-affirming those relationships. I don’t understand how all the traditions of Christmas build those relationships – it’s a mystery to me – but I know it does and that is what I miss. It is also a time of remembering and valuing the gift of Salvation that was given by Jesus coming and being “God with us”.

Although the things above are what I’m used to and what seems “Christmas-y” to me, this year it will be different. I haven’t bought presents for anyone. Christmas morning we (ex-patriots) are going to hand out gifts that were donated for the patients here and some knitted baby caps for the newborns. Then in the afternoon we will get together for a meal and a few games at Sue and Kelvin’s house and probably dessert and carols at Cristy’s and my house. Our house is decorated with lights, candles, and a potted palm with bells – and with Christmas music it does seem festive. But I guess as mentioned above – those decorations and food are not the essence of Christmas for me.

As to public holidays (i.e. where all businesses shut down) – the President of Malawi is fond of announcing public holidays about a week before they happen. So last week on Thursday he announced that the 24^th through the 2^nd of January would ALL be public holidays. This wouldn’t seem like a problem except that EVERY employee expects to be paid for all of these days – whether they work or not. So where we originally had planned two public holidays on the schedule, we all of a sudden have seven!!! Needless to say some employees nearly revolted when we told them that only those who work would be compensated! This kind of grasping and striving goes a long way to negate the Christmas spirit that I had.

This post is sort of muddled with some random thoughts on Christmas and maybe that’s why it’s hard to explain to people here because there are so many aspects. I’m thankful for many things – having a friend like Cristy here, seeing small improvements in the Hospital’s business, having made it through another year of life, having plenty of food and clothes and even some to share, and many other things. But I feel like it would be unfair to say that there is not a bit of sadness and loneliness in my heart this Christmas season. So for now I think I’ll finish making my pita bread and go to the hospital to post this online. Merry Christmas to all!

Prayer

Prayer is such a comfort and I find that it continues to be the source of strength to me on days that I don't think I could manage otherwise. Before coming to Malawi I have had various opportunities to experience prayer in different settings and see its power to heal, bring peace, show direction, and be a way to encounter God in a tangible way. As I prepared to move to Malawi I wondered how these experiences would translate into a different culture and if I would have an opportunity to share some of the things I've learned - those opportunities are yet to be discovered. But in the meant time I continue to find shelter and peace in the “hiding place” of prayer. As I pray I am reading through the Psalms and find a depth of prayers and promises that speak to my situation at different times.

I wish I could share with you the ways that God has encouraged me and spoken to me – but they are too detailed and personal to explain. I just feel honored and blessed to be able to communicate – both speaking and listening – to the God of the Universe!

I have come across a few quotes recently that have encouraged me…

When Jesus was upon the earth, He taught His disciples how to pray. He directed them to present their daily needs before God, and to cast all their care upon Him. And the assurance He gave them that their petitions should be heard, is assurance also to us. E. G. White

To pray is to take notice of the wonder, to regain a sense of the mystery that animates all beings, the divine margin in all attainments. Prayer is our humble answer to the inconceivable surprise of living. It is all we can offer in return for the mystery by which we live. Rabbi Abraham Heschel

I found this prayer the other day and it seems so appropriate for the work here among different cultures and viewpoints. There are at least 5-6 different countries represented in the staff here at the hospital at the management level – it is not merely my American vs. Malawian cultures. So I close with this prayer:

“O Maker of Worlds beyond us,
help us to live in the world we know
in peace with one another,
a kaleidoscope of nations,
a patchwork quilt of ways and wills
that rise from the depths of cultures
created by Your love.
Open us to the richness
of one another's vision
and the good we can accomplish
when we share one another's views.
We pray this prayer of unity and peace
in the hope of Shalom.”
Amen

Thanksgiving

There are many things to be thankful for and I'm sure this past few weeks you've made your own list. It was fun to share some of the Thanksgiving traditions with our friends here at Malamulo. Cristy and I are the only Americans here currently so we decided to invite people over and prepare a traditional thanksgiving dinner for them. We didn't have turkey (but we saw one the next day! see below) but we had butternut squash soup, stuffing, mashed potatoes, and green bean casserole along with pumpkin and pecan pies. Mostly though the nice part was sharing a meal and being together with people from all over the world. I counted afterward and realized we have people from 5 continents at our table. Masa, our house worker, and his family came and after dinner he said, "I think this might be what heaven will be like." That really was touching to me and I think I might have to agree! We had plenty to eat and were left with a pile of dishes at the end.

This was the table set up in the living room.
Cristy drowning her sorrows in sparkling cider (yes, non-alcoholic - don't get any crazy ideas :) ). Notice the piles of dishes behind her waiting for us to wash.
This is the turkey that got away. One of the only ones we've ever seen in Malawi - it was up at Mulanje.

The next day (Sabbath) Cristy and I borrowed Don's car and drove to Mt. Mulanje (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mulanje_Massif) and escaped into the wilderness for some R&R. We parked at Likhubula Lodge at the base where they have chalets and guest houses for retreats and vacations. Trails start off from there to explore the mountain. There is a waterfall about an hour's hike up with a pool at the base so we made our way up there and after nearly overheating on the way up we were happy to plung into the chilly water. It was so nice to be in nature and get away for a few hours. Here are a few photos:


This is the waterfall and the pool. Apparently the pool has no bottom or it is so deep no one has found it!Yes - that is me on the lower left - floating watching the clouds and birds fly by.

Beautiful Iris type of flowers growing directly out of the ground.
Colorful lizard - maybe a confused chamelion?

Yesterday we broke out the Christmas decorations and the Christmas music and turned our house into a comfy holiday place. We even have a fireplace to hang our stockings on. We are using a potted palm tree for our Christmas tree - complete with little bells hanging from it! I'll post some photos of that later. It is a fun time of year to reminice about family traditions and join in the expectation of the soon coming of Jesus. I think reflecting on the first coming of Jesus reminds me how soon his second coming is. Cristy and I are doing daily readings for the Advent calendar. It is a nice way to absorb and welcome the season.

Missing you all and hoping you have a wonderful holdiay season with your friends and family.