HAPPY CHRISTMAS

Sometimes we are asked how we celebrate Christmas here in Dodoma. Well, it does not feel very "Christmassy" and this year, it seems like Christmas surprised us and suddenly arrived! There are no Carols playing in the shops, no decorations up in the streets, no mince pies or turkeys nor Christmas trees to be seen around town, no Carol singers...etc. One day in Tanzania is pretty much the same as any other day, as people go about their daily business. There is not much to mark a lead-up to Christmas. However, there are many of us from overseas who enjoy bringing a bit of our home cultures to the Christmas period in Tanzania, so there have been a few really lovely events over the past couple of weeks to mark this special time of year.

An informal Carol Service at the home of American friends, who live about a 10 minute walk from our home.We had delicious cakes and tea/ coffee to round off the nice Sunday morning: 

 A beautiful Carols by Cadlelight service at Dodoma Cathedral. I took Esther along and enjoyed all the traditional Carols and especially once the candles were lit- reminiscent of English Christmas times!

 The school nativity play: Esther and Ben joined with their classes to sing- Esther's class dressed as shepherds...

 ...and Ben's class dressed as kings (a prize to you if you can actully spot Ben, right at the very back of this photo!!):

 There was also the opportunity for the children to dress up again for a fun evening at a MAF friend's house this week, where the children were invited to a Birthday Party for Baby Jesus, with Pass the Parcel, a game of "Pin the Present on the Christmas Tree", some Carols to sing and cup-cakes to decorate. Even Joel got into the party mood, with his shepherd costume complete with toy lamb, next to big brother Shepherd Ben and big sister Angel Esther!

 We also enjoyed a special meal with Andrew's sister Claire and Esther's teacher, Miss Debbie, last Sunday, before they left Dodoma to celebrate Christmas back with Andrew's family in England:

 And we had a fun Christmas get-together in our garden last weekend for friends still in Dodoma this Christmas season:

So there have been lots of happy events where we had have had fun celebrating!

And wherever you may be, we would like to wish you a wonderful, "Happy Christmas!" from us over here in Tanzania!