Wednesday, December 16, 2009

Christmas Party

Last Wednesday (December 9th) LBOM hosted a Christmas party for children who are orphaned and/or HIV+ or kids whose parents are severely suffering from AIDS.  Over 250 kids arrived for the party.  I must say, I felt very blessed to be a part of it.  Seriously...look at all the amazing things I have been able to do, and all the amazing people that I have met over the past 4 months!  I am so, so, so thankful to be out here.  I kind of never want to leave.  But, I digress.  Without further ado...the Christmas party!

People lining up to get a bottle of water and muffin before the program starts
The girl I made cry by asking her if she wanted me to take her picture.  Wait.  Just hit me...was it wrong for me to take this picture of her anyway, while laughing at her reaction?
See?  These kids liked having their picture taken!  (I love this boy's jaunty hat)
Setting up for the luncheon
The crowd beginning to get settled before the event
She was a cutie!
Yep.  Cute kids everywhere.
Some teens who were visiting from the capital (Gaborone) performed a (20 minute!) skit that they put together that morning.  I was supposed to get "reaction shots" of the kids, but most of them weren't paying attention.  Here's one cute one:
See?  Cute.
Here was another reaction shot :)


After the skit, we had the treat of having traditional dancers perform.  It was really cool, but a few of us were a little worried that one of the ladies was going to lose her "top."  We were very lucky that they wore anything up there at all!
Everyone loved this.  It really was very cool to watch.
Is that a look of shock or admiration?  You decide
Little Charlene singing her solo.  She's the daughter of an elder in the church, and it sooooo sweet.
Here are a few pictures that I took in between some of the programs:


And then...time for OPERATION CHRISTMAS CHILD!  Oh, I was so excited to be a part of this.  I have been filling show boxes for almost 10 years, and I've always wanted the opportunity to hand them out to kids in Africa.  Dreams really do come true!




We didn't even realize that this poor kid had wet himself until we saw the pictures.  Poor little guy.
Love the kids in blue.  They were so well behaved!
Matt and Kelly (the children's pastors for LBOM)
SO CUTE.
This just makes me smile.
Kids were so excited about what they got.  So excited.

After all the gifts were distributed, it was time for lunch!
Brenda serving up some drinks
waiting in line for food.  How do you not love that face?

Well I hope you enjoyed the roughly 300 pictures I posted from the party.  Again, it was amazing to be a part of this event.  I complain from time to time that it's tough to get in the holiday spirit out here, since it's almost 100 degrees every day; honestly, though...this is it.  It may sound cheesy, but this is what Christmas is all about.  I can't help but smile whenever I think about that day; the joy the kids had was overwhelming.
Say a prayer for these little ones!

1 comment:

  1. OH ashley! I cried reading this post! I have been following your trip and am so proud of you and all that your doing! I miss you! We're praying for you and Roger during this Christmas season!
    Kelly Miller

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