Merry Christmas

I want to start by saying I hope you are having a blessed Christmas...

This time last year I was getting ready to go to Niger (West Africa)...frantically I should add. I found out I was leaving the country (for 27 months) less than five weeks before I was to depart. And to be honest I felt a little robbed of spending the holiday season with my family. My last five weeks were spent purchasing everything I needed, packing my suitcases and my home, having a going away party (which included me cooking too), numerous other little things, and squeezed in was my family. The positive of returning home is that I can spend more genuine time with my family, not a "fake" lets throw all of our family activities into the unnatural allotted time. Coming home prematurely was incredibly difficult and realizing this "do-over" has added a bit of silver lining.

I heard from some Peace Corp Volunteers and although they're a little homesick, they had nice Thanksgiving and Christmas celebrations. Each celebrated it a little different ranging from spending time with their village to gathering at their local hostel and having as close to a traditional American Christmas as possible. Niger is a wonderful country; the people are welcoming and enjoy spending time with you and learning your culture...which makes being away from home at this time of year easier to bare. Peace Corp Volunteer Barbara told me she had a wonderful thanksgiving. Ready for this...she had turkey. Yes, she had a Nigerian turkey she purchased at her local market; she butchered and cleaned it herself. I was pretty impressed!!! Kevin, also a Peace Corp Volunteer, will have spent his Christmas holiday having a potluck dinner with other Peace Corp Volunteers at his local hostel.

I couldn't help but think about the poverty that Niger has. The United Nations (UN) compiled a list of worlds poorest 177 countries, Niger is 177th, however you could never tell by the demeanor of Niger's people. Not only do the kids make do and play with what's available, but the families are generous and will share whatever they have. I walked to and from my training site in a city called Hamdallaye (pronounced Hum-da-lie), roughly 2 miles one way. I would receive countless hello's (Fofo in the Zarma language), numerous offers of something to eat or drink, not to mention the immeasurable amount of time he/she would spend with me answering questions I had about the language and/or culture. It gives you a genuine realization of what's most important...not those things that are tangible, but in the form of thankfulness for the relationships you have with others.

My wish for you is that you see what the Christmas season has to offer you, not only in the form of faith, but in giving a realization of your priorities and the importance of friends, family, and community. God bless...