This is my family’s first Christmas in Swaziland. Honestly, I have been dreading it for the past three months! I was expecting to feel homesick, depressed, deprived and just plain rotten for most of the month of December! This Christmas season has certainly been different.
…we have a dried aloe plant branch stuck in a pot instead of a live frasier fir evergreen…
…we have 105 degree, sweltering days (and nights) rather than crisp winter mornings with frost and fluffy white snow…
…we are not getting together with long time friends and our extended families…
However….different is just different…not bad…after all…
…our dried aloe plant branch stuck in a pot isn’t dropping needles all over my floor!
…while I may be sweating more this December than any other December I remember, I haven’t had to scrape an inch of ice off of my windshield even once!!
…we do miss our long time friends and our families something awful…no getting around that…but God is building a beautiful community around us that is enfolding us into their circle of friends and family which is what the Church is really all about!
One thing I am going to miss this year is the candlelight, midnight Christmas Eve service at our church in the States. There is just something about being together in church on Christmas Eve, with the child-like anticipation of Christmas morning which somehow transformed from the longing to know what you might find wrapped under the tree to the longing to know the Savior who left heaven to inhabit the flesh of a helpless babe wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger. The soft glow of so many candles and the lovely sound of carols being sung by a choir. Our church in Holland, Michigan ends the Christmas Eve service by having everyone silently file out into the atrium to sing ‘Silent Night’ while holding up lit white candles. It makes me cry just thinking about it…in a good way!
As I am sitting out here on my veranda in Africa, the dark and humid night thick around me, I have a single white candle lit on the table. I am humming ‘Silent Night’…the chirps and squeaks of various night frogs and insects are joining me in the song…I smell a sweetness in the air from the sugarcane fields surrounding the house…there are a thousand stars lighting up the sky…a sweet puppy is sleeping on my feet…my kids and husband are healthy and safe inside the door…I am so blessed… silent night…holy night…all is calm…all is bright…sleep in heavenly peace…sleep in heavenly peace…
However you celebrate Christmas this year, may you experience the holy, wonderful, joyful peace and wonder that I am at this very moment…
For a child will be born to us, a son will be given to us; And the government will rest on His shoulders; And His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace ! ~ Isaiah 9:6
Merry Christmas!!
Dear Jen, Eric, Claire, and Jake
Sending you wishes for a blessed Christmas! Your post is beautiful and a reminder that Christ can be found anywhere. Blessings to you all. (And there is no snow here either….so the sound of crickets and frogs around you sounds wonderful!)
Love, Kristen
I love reading your blogs…..what a gift of writing you have(I can’t say that enough!)
We miss you and wish all of you a blessed Christmas…..
Love and hugs~
Karla
May you and your family have a healthy, safe and blessed Christmas so far from home. Like Mary and Joseph, you have answered God’s call.
Thank you for sharing your thoughts and your faith.
You have such a wonderful way with words. God speaks so well through you. I understand the missing of family and friends but you and your family are doing such great things through your work there. I long to be back in Swaziland. I cannot wait for June when our team returns. I literally am waiting with excitement and anticipation to see what is on the page in the Book Of Life when God turns that page in 2012. Will there be challenges and trails, yes, but will there be great things done in the name of the Lord, absolutely yes!
Thanks be to God for opening your families eyes and thanks be to him who have opened some of our eyes.
Merry, Merry, Merry Christmas to you and your family and a safe and joyous New Year. I am passing a virtual hug to all pf you. Come on 2012! Bring it on!!
Merry Christmas!!! We also look forward to the Christmas Eve service with the candle lighting! It is a Cramer family tradition that is very special. (although Emily still reminds me that it was her tradition first … and didn’t like it when Dean got old enough to go) The bell choir is playing Away in a Manger. Enjoy your holiday in a “different” way.
Laura
Nice message Jen, you will all be in our hearts and prayers this year, won’t be the same without you here.
Love you all,
Mom and Dad
MERRY CHRISTMAS
Stay safe and try and stay cool.
All is good with Jean and I. You guys are in my prayers everyday. Jim
Jen, Eric, Claire and Jake–
We miss you all but know we are united in Christ as we all anticipate His Advent this season! Thank you for helping me to picture just what your Christmas season has been like this year. Wishing you all a blessed Christmas Eve and Day!
Love,
Amy
PS: I will selfishly miss your delicious scones at the Peterson Family Christmas Brunch!
Sorry we didn’t see this earlier. We miss you all so much and are looking forward to linking up on Christmas day. Love Mom& Dad. The traditional brunch will not be the same without you!!!
Dear Eric,Jen,Claire&Jake,
Merry Christmas to you all. May you be blessed as much as you all are a blessing to all those who’s lives you have touched(including me).
A Whole Sky Full of Love,
Dawn H
Merry Christmas to you all! I love reading your updates and looking at the photos that you post. Swaziland is forever in my heart (especially Nsoko) and the Peterson Family are always in my prayers. God bless you as you continue to love and serve so well.
Grace & Peace,
patti