Early but joyful Christmas Celebrations in Leratong!!

2008.12.13

Early this morning some of the ladies came around and decorated part of the hall with traditional Sotho decorations. They hang their blankets (a Sotho person's blanket is a treasured possession and the softer and more colorful it is, the more it shows your wealth.). They also brought display brooms and hats weaved from grass and colorfully decorated.

While we were making the fire, we entertained the kids that were there (they were waiting for us when we arrived there this morning!!) with games and later they all lined up for cold drink and biscuits....no Marvin, not them kinda biscuits you have with gravy....;-)

Modise.....grabbed his share while no-one were looking!

Moeketsi, who is blind, was there too. Instead of a normal toy like the other boys got, we bought him a flute. He is very quick to "figure" things out, so I am excited to see what he does with his musical instrument!!

The pots with the stew slowly steaming away....

Kids.....

Victor dressed in his Sunday best!

Quite a few kids took the opportunity to dress up and she looks really pretty in her white dress.

Moleboheng, always a good subject for an interesting picture.

Presents.............

Modise had his salad in a glass and put effort in getting to the last bit.

And then rewarded us with a big smile, something that comes easy to him!

The chief of the village, Chief Mokoena.

The crowd lining up before lunch is served.

3 different salads, rice and beef stew, followed with desert....yes it was really good.

Kids sitting on the grass, chowing down.

Sweet...all of them.

Adelinah, looking better every day!!!

We all then moved to the hall where the kids entertained the crowd.

Leratong Youth Choir...

Senior Traditional Dancing Girls.

Junior Traditional Dancing Girls.

Then the Sunday School kids performed their play.....

After that it was time for the PRESENTS!!!!

Awesome how God works. Yesterday we went to empty our mailbox and inside was a receipt for a parcel. Ladies from North Carolina had made and sent us these dolls.....and they arrived at the perfect time!! How awesome is that!! The girls were blown away by this extra gift.