For those of you who don’t know, in Ethiopia Christmas is celebrated on a different day. Today (January 7th) is the Ethiopian Christmas or should I say Genna. So Melkam Genna everyone! Ethiopians have similar traditions; they get together with their families and have a traditional dinner, with lots of food. Not quite the turkey and dressing Americans are accustomed to, but traditional indeed.
Every culture has its own traditions and celebrations. For me, being away from home while celebrating holidays is often the hardest part about living here. I missed my family the most on Thanksgiving and Christmas. It’s a time when you know everyone is getting together and taking part in traditions you have always been involved in, and you are not a part of it. Thankfully my brother Brandon did his best to make me feel like I was a part of Christmas this year by putting together a video of my family!
Every culture has its own traditions and celebrations. For me, being away from home while celebrating holidays is often the hardest part about living here. I missed my family the most on Thanksgiving and Christmas. It’s a time when you know everyone is getting together and taking part in traditions you have always been involved in, and you are not a part of it. Thankfully my brother Brandon did his best to make me feel like I was a part of Christmas this year by putting together a video of my family!
It was sad to miss Christmas with my family, but my Christmas was still wonderful. God has a way of providing right when you need it. Often times we think of God’s provision in a monetary sense, but the best provision God can offer is providing amazing friends.
My best Christmas present was the fact that my best friend Whitney gave up her time and money to spend 3 weeks with me here in Ethiopia. I’m not sure she will ever know just how much this meant to me. It was wonderful to have a piece of home in the tangible sense with me this year!
The next best gift was sweet memories and good food with my family here in Ethiopia. One of my favorite parts about living in Ethiopia is having the opportunity to live in a community. I have a wonderful support system here with close friends who quickly become like family.
Christmas Eve was a festive day! We had a wonderful brunch and worship time with friends. We spent the morning reflecting on the true meaning of Christmas—our Saviour. Then the day ended with a deliciously elaborate Christmas Eve dinner. It was fabulous!
On Christmas day, I got to experience a traditional English dinner, and by dinner I mean lunch. It was complete with party gifts, ridiculous hats, silly jokes, and lots of laughter. I’m not sure I would ever have had the opportunity to enjoy an English Christmas dinner in any other setting. We ended our Christmas day with a lovely spaghetti dinner, which reminded me of home!
It’s interesting how much time is spent decorating, shopping, and celebrating Christmas. It has this huge build up, and then on December 26th, it’s over. However, Christmas is never truly over. Your memories live on in your heart, and of course it’s a reminder of Christ’s birth and the fact that He is very much alive!
It is wonderful to hear about your life in Ethiopia Malisa! Faithfulness and consistency are a gift of God and He delights in those traits in you.
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-Lamentations 3:25