Christmas day has been a busy and enjoyable one for us. We got up at five o'clock, not because the children woke up early to open their presents but because we had to prepare part of the meal for the "kids" (the elders and sisters). We were responsible for chicken enchiladas, cheese, lettuce, tomatoes, olives, sour cream, and punch; and needed make the enchiladas and chop the vegetables. The Gublers were responsible for beef enchiladas, refried beans, and ice cream. The Taylors were responsible for chicken enchiladas, Spanish rice, and cake.
At nine o'clock we met other church members and missionaries at the SOS Children's Village, an orphanage in Tlokweng near Gaborone, to sing Christmas carols. There are currently 204 children at the orphanage, but only 55 were there today because the others had relatives they could go visit for the holiday season. The children live in homes with a "mother" and "auntie". They have a family situation with children of different ages living together and they always stay with the same "family". The children and adults joined with us in singing the carols.
Santa, Elder Jenkins, made a visit and brought the children candy. All the children enjoyed Santa's visit except one little boy who was terrified of Santa. Sister Rands can relate to that. We enjoyed being with the children; it was a delightful way to start Christmas day.
From the orphanage we had to hurry to meet with the elders and sisters for a Christmas devotional and dinner. Thirty-two young missionaries and three senior couples met in the Gubler's apartment for the devotional. Each of the districts and the senior couples contributed something spiritual to the program. There was quite a variety to the presentations.
After the devotional we had a Mexican dinner at the Taylor's apartment which is in the same complex as the Gubler's apartment. At the conclusion of dinner the missionaries were each given a personalized Christmas stocking prepared by the senior couples. The devotional and dinner went from eleven o'clock until one o'clock so the missionaries would have the rest of the day to make phone calls to their families. Most of them will use the Internet because it is much cheaper.
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