Christmas Break

Michelle and Brad both went back to Kansas for Christmas break and the Thomases and Philip (a six-month intern from Southwest Yearly Meeting) went to Lake Kivu. That left me all alone for the holidays. But, luckily, the Bennetts invited me to spend Christmas Eve and Christmas Day with them. They had a beautiful tree and decorations up all around the house. On Christmas Eve we went to a candle lighting service with which Barb Bennett was helping. It was all in English. It was great to sing Christmas carols with 100 or so other people.




On Christmas morning Melissa and Megan were up early, excited about opening presents. It took about 2 hours to get through them all and I enjoyed opening up gifts of tennis balls (yes, I've taken up tennis since I've been here), candy, and a beautiful print of a painting done by Barb's dad. (You can see it in this picture of the Christmas tree after present opening was finished.) Barb is an excellent cook and our Christmas feast wasn't lacking a think. She even made egg nog for us on Christmas Eve.

The next day the Bennetts set out for Uganda and graciously allowed me the run of their house. I read, slept and generally had a good time. On the 27th I left with the Sheers, co-workers of the Bennets, for Lake Kivu. I stayed in the Friend's cabin at Kumbya, swam every morning and slept and read a lot. It was a very relaxing four days. Here is a picture of some fisher men on the lake.

Some of the families also staying at Kumbya had to return early due to school starting at Rift Valley Academy on the 2nd; however, after they left, we heard about the election results in Kenya and school was postponed until things are more stable there.

On New Year's Eve I stayed with the Thomases at Kibogora where we stayed up until midnight watching movies. On the first of January, I was on my way back home to Kigali. School resumes on the 15th of January and I look forward to another week of doing very little work and generally enjoying myself. Sometimes life in Africa can be so difficult. :)