Merry Christmas

We want to wish you all a very merry and blessed Christmas. While we are nearing the end of Christmas Day here in PNG, all of you back home are sleeping after a lovely Christmas Eve, and will wake up in a few hours to enjoy Christmas morning. We wish you all a lovely Christmas Day, spent with family and loved ones.
Last night, Christmas Eve, we enjoyed a quiet evening meal of appetizers and sparkling grape juice, which is becoming a tradition with us. *Please see above photo of us in our living room, in front of our banana tree "Christmas Tree" (Paul's ingenious idea). We then enjoyed a Christmas Eve service with all the residents of Ukarumpa in the Meeting House (where church services and big events are held here in Uka). After church, a big group of young people had a bonfire, we sang carols, and then went to a house to enjoy Christmas treats and hot apple cider.
This morning, we opened presents together, just the 2 of us. Heidi got a set of mugs and a coffee pot from Paul made by a local potter. Paul got a set of arrows from Heidi. After presents and relaxing, we headed over to the Campbells for a delicious brunch, complete with crepes and delicious fillings.
With our stomachs already full, we proceded to Gavin & Carrie Jones' house (friends of ours from POC) where we had a delicious meal, with chicken (in lieu of turkey), mashed potatoes, sweet potato casserole, stuffing - the works!
Now we are completely stuffed and badly in need of a nap. In a few minutes we will be heading out again to spend more time with the big group of young people that are affectionately know around Ukarumpa as "The Crowd". More food, games, and good cheer.
We are keeping busy, which is good because it is keeping us from getting too lonely and homesick. But of course, we cannot forget our family and friends, who we are missing, especially during these days when families are so often together. We wish we could celebrate with you all.






May you be blessed as you celebrate the birth of the Saviour...