Christmas in Loki

After traveling six hours over unpaved, bumpy roads in the back of an NGO vehicle next to a kerosene drum and piles of luggage, Meghan and I finally reached Lokichogio (Loki). Loki, which is located across the Sudan border in Kenya, is a quaint little town with many more supplies than Torit or Ikotos. We spent nine days in Loki resupplying, hanging out in town, and celebrating Christmas. Christmas was celebrated quite differently than any other before. Christmas Eve morning was spent baking Christmas cookies (sugar, gingerbread, and cowboy) for the potluck later in the day. That afternoon we joined the Hildebrandts (Jon, Ginny, and Josiah) and a few other missionaries at the Fungs’ house several kilometers outside of Loki. Each of us brought something for the potluck and had a wonderful meal! Afterwards the children decorated sugar cookies while Chris Fung led us in some Christmas hymns on her piano. That evening Meghan and I watched “An Affair to Remember”, which was the closest thing to a Christmas movie we could find. (There’s just something about watching an old classic film around Christmas!) After the movie, we spent some time reading through scripture and singing Christmas songs. At midnight, we held our own candlelight service singing “Silent Night” and “Go Tell It on the Mountain”. After sleeping in late Christmas morning, we enjoyed a pancake brunch and opened a few gifts we received at the potluck the day before. After brunch we walked into town to pick up a few gifts for the Hildebrandts. It was really neat to walk past people, who were dressed up in their Christmas clothes, and wish them a “Merry Christmas”. When we got back, we put together a cute little bundle of things and spent the rest of the day at the Hildbrandt’s house. Ginny had the house completely decorated with a beautifully trimmed tree, stockings, and little snowmen all over. Later that evening, Meghan and I went to 748 (a pilot restaurant – or pirate restaurant according to Meghan’s dad!) for dinner and a chance to Skype our families. (748 has free wireless internet so we spent as much time there as possible!) We left the restaurant late that night after long conversations with our families. This was one of the most peaceful Christmases I’ve ever had and one in which I could better focus my thoughts on the birth of my Savior.