Joyeux Noël

My big Christmas gift came early this December when I finally was able to unpack my Crate!!!! It was fun getting to rediscover all the goodies I packed, things that make my humble abode feel homier. In the crate were some of my Christmas decorations. Perfect timing!

When I put up my tree I like to listen to Christmas music, drink coffee or hot tea and then snuggle up on the couch and watch a movie.  I found it’s a little different putting the tree up when you’re living in Africa and it’s like 90 something outside.  So this year I listened to Christmas music, drank lots of Iced Water, sweated like crazy because it was hot and a lot of work, took a cold shower and then watched the first Christmas movie of the season. There was absolutely no snuggling up with a blanket on the couch …. It’s just too hot for that!  

Sadly our team had to say good bye to our friend Kaylin mid-December. Before she headed back to the US we made Christmas cookies! Making Christmas cookies just always seems like more fun when children are involved. It’s a little more chaotic but still more fun. Soooo I borrowed my teammate’s children for a little Christmas Cookie Bash. I made icing from scratch which we got everywhere (cabinets, floor, hands, hair ect). After everyone got cleaned up we enjoyed a team dinner, showed off our hidden talents of making snowflakes while eating our cookies and watching the movie Elf.

This is actually my first Christmas away from home. While it’s different and of course I miss my parents and other family members, I find that I am indeed with family.  I have brothers and sisters, nephews and nieces, even parental figures around me who I am celebrating this Christmas season with. This Christmas Eve and Christmas Day will still be filled with the most important thing of all and that is glorifying and praising God for all that he has done. It’s a time of remembrance of the day that unto us a child was given, born in the city of David a Savior, who is the Christ the Lord.  He is my Lord, my Savior, my Hope, my Portion, my Rock and my All in All.

Joyeux Noël,
     Jennifer

Thanksgiving in Abidjan

This past week I spent my first Thanksgiving overseas. I got to enjoy this holiday with the friends and family that the Lord has provided for me here in Abidjan. We gathered together to give thanks and acknowledge all that He has done for us.  I have much to be thankful for: I have parents who love me and raised me up in a home that serves the Lord, I have good health, I have awesome friends and family around the world, I have never been wanting of a warm bed or a meal, I was given an opportunity to receive an education, I have a job, and most importantly I have been forgiven of my sins and am a new creation.  I indeed have much to be thankful for.

Our West African Thanksgiving was complete with our favorites except for turkey. The turkey was way too expensive and still very alive.  The chicken and guinea fowl taste just as good if not better and we did not have to sharpen our machete or spend the day plucking away.  

Our Tree of Thanks in French and English

After the meal it was time to teach our friends how to play American football.  We spilt up into teams, quickly taught the rules in French and went at it. As awesome as my team was we lost horribly BUT it was fun and full of laughter. Later that evening the internet decided to cooperate just long enough for me to Skype and say hello to my family back home. It really was a great Thanksgiving.

 

 The next morning I got up early and headed to the beach. One of the perks of living in Abidjan is that I am about an hour away from Grand-Bassam. Grand-Bassam is a cool old historical town located right at the beach. It is a great day or weekend getaway to relax, refuel, swim and listen to the ocean. This is how I spent my Black Friday. There were no lines, no chaos and no one got trampled.  Occasionally I would put down my book to shop from the venders who walked up and down the beach. My big purchase of the day was the 3 pineapples I got for $2.  So I’ll end by saying I am thankful for the beach and the ability to take short day/weekend getaway to regroup and refuel.