Christmas Crackers

I decided to get Christmas Crackers this year for the first time for my American kids and the two single ladies next door.  I knew our British neighbor could enlighten us on Christmas Crackers; what I didn't realize was how excited she would be to introduce this tradition.

Preparing to pull the crackers open.  Unfortunately, some didn't even pop!

Katie in her plastic crown and putting on her sheriff badge that was in her cracker

Everyone else a little slower in figuring out this cracker thing and getting their things

Lina's 15th!

Caralina's birthday always seems to end the holiday festivities in our household as it is on the 2nd of January.  This year was no different.  In the evening of New Year's Day, our family took her out for pizza at Surjios and met some friends there.   The next evening we had the teen girls at GSF over for dinner.  We tried taking some pictures; most were quite goofy but it still shows what beautiful teen girls we have!  We ended the night as we do many times by looking at old pictures of all of them.  Thankful for my teen girl and her friends!

Megan, Teddy, Joy and Ritah in the back row and Jenny, Caralina and Rebecca in front

So now the holiday partying is over and back to the "real world."  And as always after a great holiday time, routine is grand change of pace. 

Other side of the world but close to our hearts!

There's a Bible Study group in Tallahassee, FL, USA. . . (Mark's mom's Bible Study)


Who pray for a Bible Study group in Buundo, Buikwe District, Uganda, (the house moms and helpers at GSF)

They wanted to show the group in Uganda in a tangible way that they love and pray for them. 

They took these beautiful scarves and put their hand prints on them.  They then rolled them and but a big ribbon around each one (notice the ribbon's on the ladies heads--quite resourceful!).  They also made a note for each one with pictures of the process of putting the hand prints on the scarves.  The mothers loved them!

Thank you, Tallahassee Ladies' Bible Study!

All in a Day's Work

Christmas at GSF

Christmas Morning, I walked around the houses to greet the mothers who were already up cooking and then the kids.  The toddlers and I sang happy birthday to Jesus!  We then had our family time of enjoying one another and opening gifts and of course, enjoying the yummy cinnamon rolls made the day before!  We also had our visitors over around 10 and then we all went to church at 11. 

The little angels with baby Jesus (which was one of our smallest special needs girls, Mercy)

There were lots of presentations in church.  The kids acted out the Christmas story.

Caralina was the narrator and Megan was Mary.

 After the service, some prepared the church for dinner and other festivities, while others went to get the food, gifts and get ready for more fun.  Then the fun continued and the eating began.

Little ones enjoying a delicious Christmas lunch and soda

Then it was time for singing Happy Birthday to Jesus--Ugandan style.   Here, Joseph and Sebastian enjoying Birthday Cake.

And then it was time for gifts!  Thank you, Greers and their church, Friendly Hills for providing so many gifts.  We also used many toys that some of you have mailed to us throughout the year.

 Merry Christmas to All from Uganda!

Christmas Eve--Uganda Style

We decided to make cinnamon rolls this year for everyone at GSF for Christmas!  Our matron, Julianna, Megan, two of our visitors, Allison and Sharon and I all worked on making and baking them. 

Betsy, our faithful and fabulous activities director, organized water games!  For those of you who have prayed for Philip, this is an incredible picture.  Philip has been close to death so many times including just a couple of months ago.  Praise God for his life and for this picture.

Even our two guys in wheel chairs got involved in the balloon toss.

David jubilant after catching the balloon that Titus threw to him.  They ended up coming in second place.

Titus ready to play water balloon fight (aka snowball fight).

That evening we had the traditional Christmas eve bonfire, complete with dancing in the pavilion, eating biscuits and juice and singing Christmas Carols.  Here's Patricia, Alana and Megan.

Mark dancing with Rosie!

I even joined in the fun!

Staff Christmas party

 We had the privilege to celebrate with over 80 employees and bless them at Christmas.  We had our party this year on the 23rd to begin the Christmas celebrations.

Mark and I are seen here with Ja Ja Mary, an icon of GSF. She requested a photo with us.

Each department did a presentation.  The mothers did several songs and dances.  I am here with some of them after the party.

The missionaries did an impromptu lip-sync to rocking around the Christmas tree.  Here are the "single ladies" showing some "western dance moves."  I wish I had a picture of Mark with his santa hat and sunglasses!

We then gave out bonuses, basins of gifts, 4 kg of meat, and also let them all pick out toys and books from our excess supply.  Here is one of our absolutely beautiful assistants carrying one of the basins to an employee.  

It was a great time and a blessing to celebrate Christmas with our fellow laborers for Christ!  That evening, we had a Christmas party with all the missionaries and visitors at our new house (although it is not completely ready for us to move in yet.  We also went to the houses Christmas Caroling.