Merry Christmas! It is December 25th and Christ is born! What a wonderful day and wonderful season. I had the pleasure of spending 10 days in Uganda this holiday season at a transitional rehab home called Dwelling Places. It was 88 degrees most days and did not feel like Christmas. Christmas isn't as commercialized there as it is here and so I didn't hear the songs playing every 5 minutes nor did I see decorations hanging everywhere. It didn't feel like Christmas when we were walking down our dirt roads or hanging out together. It only felt like Christmas when the team started to bond and become closer or when the kids eyes lit up everytime they saw us. It did feel like Christmas when little Reagan, asked me to read from his picture bible only 4 or 5 years old. When Irene made me a Christmas card. Those children made it feel like Christmas. And what a Christmas it was for them! We were able to bring sheets, clothes, toys, toothbrushes, toothpaste, bags, dolls, cars, balls and many more things for these precious children. The place we volunteered at has on average over 300 children to stay throughout the year. But during the holidays, they try to send them home to their families or relatives if they have any. Those who have to stay at Dwelling Places are usually the forgotten, the lost..the orphans. So we were able to come in and love them like Jesus. And give them some Christmas presents....they wouldn't have any presents otherwise. These 40 children were able to have some kind of Christmas because of people who donated and because we went. And in return, they made me feel at home and made me remember the reason for the season. It doesn't matter what the temperature is or where I am at, Christmas is to be celebrated for 1 reason only. I hate that its turned into 'who can buy the better gift' for some but I hope that every Christmas I can be humbled like I was for those 10 days. And I hope we all remember that Jesus came for each and everyone of us. He came from His Throne in Heaven to this measly little earth for me. So I could look God in the face and worship Him for who He is. What a priceless gift and one worth celebrating.
