Merry Christmas, Liberia-style!

This has been a long week, and I'm not going to lie; I'm exhausted. But even though it was tiring, it was also a LOT of fun, and I wouldn't trade it for the world.

Monday: After days of sorting clothes and shoes, wrapping gift bundles, and writing Christmas notes for the kids, it was finally Christmas delivery time! We spent the afternoon with 31 amazing kids, giving out Christmas gifts and celebrating the season with singing and dancing. One of my favorite moments of the day was watching Aaron hurriedly change into his new outfit to go get his picture taken. He LOVED his new purple t-shirt, khaki shorts, and sneakers, and couldn't wait to show them off!

Tuesday: Christmas delivery day two! Again, we loaded the pick-up with boxes of clothes, flip-flops, gifts, books, food, and more. The kids were jumping up and down and cheering as they watched us pull up to the orphanage. I loved watching the girls squeal with delight as they opened their gift bundles to find little purses with jewelry inside, and the boys immediately took their toy cars outside to play with them. They were so thankful and so joyful. Days like that make me realize how blessed I am to be here and be a part of these kids' lives.

Wednesday: Final Christmas delivery day--for EIGHTY TWO KIDS! Some of the kids are new to the orphanage, so it was their first time experiencing an Orphan Relief and Rescue Christmas. It was amazing to see their eyes light up when they realized they were getting a new outfit AND new shoes AND a gift bundle AND a copybook AND a storybook! They kept laughing and saying over and over, "It's all for me!" Priceless!

Christmas in Liberia 2010 from Orphan Relief and Rescue on Vimeo.

Thursday: I woke up feeling absolutely drained; I think my body was telling me it was time for a break. I enjoyed a relatively calm Thursday and later wrapped some gifts for a very special Christmas delivery the next day...

Friday: Today I went to visit Beyan and three other kids I know living at an orphanage nearby. (It's been about two months since I saw my boy, and I was blown away by how much he's growing!) As I handed out the gifts, I explained that, even though we don't see them all the time, we love them and have not forgotten about them. The kids started grinning as they received their gifts and, even though they seemed anxious to open them, all four opted to save it and wait for Christmas Day.

After that, Deb and I made a quick stop at the supermarket to buy food for the weekend. We were greeted by a Liberian...in a Santa suit...ringing a bell. Yeah. It was awesome.

Tomorrow, Deb, the Cramers and I are planning to go out for a big breakfast and then spend Christmas at the pool/beach. We'll probably go to Sajj, our favorite local hangout, later in the evening for dinner. After that, I have a week's worth of vacation--which I am more than ready for and definitely in need of. Sun, sand, sleeping in. Lazy mornings. Lots of porch time. Good friends, good food. It's going to be wonderful.

Obviously, Christmas in Liberia is different in many ways than Christmas at home. I'm used to white Christmases, candlelight services with my incredible church family, and hot chocolate by a cozy fire--all things I undoubtedly miss at this time of year.

What I miss most, though, is you. You, dear family and friends, are missed terribly and thought of and prayed for often. I hope you have a very, very Merry Christmas, and that you are filled with joy as you celebrate our Savior's birth!