Christmastime

A heavy African rain pounds upon these shanty roofs demanding to be heard far above the Christmas music I am attempting to listen to. I am so thankful to be completely sheltered on this stormy night. It wasn’t too long ago when a small portion of this house was without a roof. And on rainy nights such as this one, the rain would come pouring in the tiny room on the roof and gush down the stairs, down another flight of stairs and on into the main part of the house. If ever a tarp was needed, it was then!
Well, the Christmas tree is up and the presents are all wrapped. A quiet afternoon ensured much was accomplished today. And there is much anticipation in the air! We’re hosting a Christmas party for the church ladies next week and later on one for the missionary families. Our little grocery-market is all decked out for Christmas which is a pleasant surprise, seeing as it’s run by a Muslim Lebanese family. Other than that, there is no sign that it is Christmastime. Well, other than the white egrets that perch on the trash heaps. They migrate this time of year and make San Pedro their Christmas home. With the rain still pounding away, it only seems appropriate that I leave you with this Christmas song by the a cappalla group Straight No Chaser http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Fe11OlMiz8&feature=related which may be more meaningful if you’ve ever heard the original version of Toto’s "Africa" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lPT_3PEjnsE (yes, I know this is a scary 80's music video)
Just promise me that when you watch it, the snow isn’t falling so loudly that you can’t hear it! This rain is absolutely deafening!