Cam Karama Maber! Merry Christmas to you!
Christmas in Gulu is definitely a far cry from Christmas in the Northwest. Here’s some photos that resemble our typical Christmas festivities at home.
Hauling in our Christmas tree…behind HEALS with our Christmas tree…yes, it was chopped down with the machete that is dangerously close to Autumn’s face.
Haley decorating the tree in a halter top…the star is handmade of fabric by one of our HEALS kids, Kennedy.
Autumn and Atito trimming the tree…
Our zebra Christmas stockings!
These photos document the Christmas things that we are accustomed to (apart from decorating in tank tops). Really, around Gulu though, it doesn’t feel like Christmas. Apart from the intensity of the sun and lack of any hope for the white Christmas we always dream of, there are no Christmas trees, only a few lights and no one is asking anyone what they want for Christmas. Everyone we talk to is excited for Christmas, but what they look forward to is merely the hope of being with their families.
The world’s desperation for a Savior seems especially acute to us this year. The darkness of lost hope needs to be permeated by the Light that entered the world on the first Christmas. During Christmas’ past, we attempt to stay focused on that purpose for this season. This year though, it is the only thing we are able to focus on and we have to be intentional to remember to turn on Christmas music and recall the things we typically love about Christmas. Yesterday, we were making crafts for the kids’ Christmas party and “Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas” came on and Haley burst into tears. The words feel like salt in our wounds; our hearts don’t feel light, we miss our family, we miss wearing sweaters, miss seeing our breath in the crisp air. We keep having to remind ourselves that Christ’s birth was not heralded by trees dressed up for Christmas, twinkling lights or mugs of steaming apple cider. We still miss those things though.
Merry Christmas!!! Cam Karama Maber!!!!
We love you!
Haley and Autumn
How can I tell you how much you were both missed and thought of during Christmas? Maybe you were the ones who had a true celebration of God’s great gift to the world, I hope so. I love you! Aunt Vicki
oh my gosh you all are beautiful! Wow, how much I miss you guys! Anna looks great with short hair!! Wow. I love you guys very much. Being home is good. I go to NC to go to school tomorrow and am very excited for this next move for me. Golly, be so encouraged guys. I send much love and pray grace over you guys. Hallelujah, AMEN!
My Haley and My Autumn I have tarried much to long in posting a comment to my lovely daughters whom I miss so much it is quite painful. Yes, I know people would think, “oh, it’s just because of Christmas” and of course they would be partially correct as so many things bring memories to the surface that bring into sharp focus what is missing this year. I too “lost it” listening to “Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas” so when I read you also did, I cried anew. However, I am so lucky that the reason I am so quick to cry is that I have so many sweet memories to cherish of my daughters. I knew Christmas would be hard but it has been unbearably so at the times I can acutely feel your pain and loneliness. I’m thankful for the miracle of the internet and pictures and the telephone! I’m thankful that you, my children, know the miracle of the celebration…the entrance of a Savior into the world! Jesus. I’m trusting Him now to be your everything and mine. You left such a hole that can’t be filled! I remember this is the Lord’s birthday and I will celebrate! Even with tears! I love and miss you my dear daughters! Always, Mom
Happy New Year Haley! I am Liza’s Mom. I am trying to learn more about the invisible children and especially HEALS. Your postings have been very helpful. Thank you. I will pray that the Holy Spirit fills you and your coworkers daily with strength and wisdom to continue doing God’s will in Uganda, while we try to do our part in Indiana.
Hello-
I hope you get this because I am having trouble getting to Abbey Wong’s blog site right now, but I wanted to introduce myself. My name is Christina Montsma and I have just been officially accepted to Mars Hill Graduate School. (I have actually also seen the new site- although not completely finished.) I wanted to contact you because even before considering Mars Hill, I learned alot about what God wants me to do last year. The main thing is that I have a desire to work with the children in Uganda who are have escaped or are dodging the LRA. When I found out that Mars Hill had some interns in Uganda doing just this, I was stunned and thrilled. It’s amazing what God does. Anyways, to add a twist to the story, I am completing my last semester of my Undergrad at Northwestern College in Minnepolis/St. Paul by studying abroad. I am leaving the States on January 5th for my study abroad semester IN UGANDA! I am going to be studying at Uganda Christian University in Mukono. I have yet to learn more about the geography of the country, but I know that we will be doing some traveling while there across Uganda. Maybe there’s a possibility that I could connect with you. Who knows. After all that’s happened for me in the last year, I’m becoming more sure of God’s plan for me as they unraveling right in front of my face. So, I am going to be making a MySpace account hopefully tomorrow-if not within the next few days-and I would like to leave you my email address if you would like to talk at all. I will be reading your blogs otherwise and will be soaking up your experiences there as I will be in Uganda too. Thanks, Christina
cammyizm@yahoo.com
or camontsma@students.nwc.edu
Haley and Autumn…as I read your blog today, my heart is overwhelmed by the willingness on your parts to be used of the Lord in a mighty way there in Uganda! I’m sorry I’ve been so lax in communicating with you…please be assured of our prayers however. Even today at my computer, I bowed my head and brought you both before the throne of God, that He would sustain you, give you His peace and grace this day, as well as protection, and that you would both find special joy in whatever this day holds for you!
I’ve thought of you both so often…and know the holidays had to be especially hard to be away from your family. I also thought of you when I was eating your mom’s cranberry cookies at your Aunt Mickey’s house! Yum!! I hope you’ve been able to have some special goodies there in Uganda!
I must get to work…now that I’ve better figured out how to leave “comments”, I’ll keep in touch better.
Please know we love and pray for both of you!!!
Lynnette (and all the Browns in Kansas!!)
I miss these 4 beautiful faces!