It's Beginning to Look A Lot Like...?

Here in Malawi it's beginning to look like a lot of things. Dirt patches are turning into grassy lawns. Rains are coming more frequently. White people are turning more red as the sun's strength grows. But one thing it most definitely is not starting to look like is Christmas. Christmas in the southern hemisphere is nothing like Christmas in Oregon. As many of you know for yourselves, being abroad for a year can feel like a time warp or a trip through a wormhole. Is my family really sledding while I sweat my butt off? Are they all together eating a meal while I eat this crappy candy bar imported from South Africa? It's hard to imagine we're even on the same planet. Sometimes it feels like you're missing a year of your life.

I've been abroad for periods of more than a year before so this isn't my first rodeo. But Zach hasn't and he's a big fan of Thanksgiving and Christmas. This year we'll be struggling to keep things a little Christmasy while we travel in Zambia. His parents being here should help some. One other thing we'll do is listen to Christmas carols. We thought that's what we'd signed up for when we went to this little Christmas Carol shindig at Four Seasons but we ended up feeling like we were in church on Christmas Eve, singing hymns (well, I felt that way, Zach doesn't know what that feels like). At least we got to hang out with this cool wooden nativity scene and this tree made out of recycled water bottles. Also we got to watch little Malawian girls singing and the adorable children are one of the best things about every African country I've ever been to. While it was fun, it was also a reminder of just how far away from snow (rain), Christmas trees, and our families.