Random Christmas Observations in Mali (by Thom & Amanda)

• It just seems too hot to be Christmas!
• Mali is mostly a Muslim country, but Christmas is an official holiday here.
• Christmas is a church, not a family, celebration here.
• For the first time in 10 years (since I started working in radio) I’m enjoying Christmas music this year.
• Malians begin their Christmas celebrations with singing and dancing at church before the 25th.
• 91 degrees on Christmas?
• The Christian & Missionary Alliance Church in Mali puts out a Christmas cloth for sale every year at this time.
• This year they forgot to put the Alliance logo on the Christmas cloth!
• I noticed that most of my gifts for Amanda were entertainment-related.
• Most of our gifts for Jeanette and our guards were practical.
• Did I mention it’s warm? Really, really warm?
• Baptism is a big deal here and the annual city-wide baptism service is held during the Advent season.
• Amanda and I are trying some new traditions: our Christmas Palm, Ice Cream sundaes on Christmas (don’t laugh, it’s very expensive here so it’s a rare treat!), and opening one gift on Christmas Eve.
• There were too many people at church today to fit in the building so we held the service outside.
• I guess the heat has its benefits, huh?
• Malian Christians just “get it” when it comes to passion for the things of Jesus, Christmas included.

Going back to point #3, Christmas is truly a church celebration because for many former Muslims and animists the church is the only family they have. Revealing our American heritage, Amanda and I have really noticed in the last couple of days how much we’re missing spending this time with our families. At least the telephone works!

Merry Christmas! Joyeux Noël!