Summer is upon us with a vengeance. With highs in the 90’s, I find any excuse to hide in the shade and siesta all afternoon. Doesn’t the weather care that it’s December and things should be cold, icy and white? Apparently not.
In fact, it’s pretty hard to believe it’s even Christmas. It feels like Vegas mid-June with gusty breezes that dry our laundry in seconds! Under its intense heat, everything withers and wilts -even my Christmas spirit.
I tried lifting those spirits by playing Christmas music. But it didn’t help. Brown grass, sweltering heat and tank-tops. That is my life right now. Not to mention, a thin layer of fine yellow dust coats EVERYTHING. I wake up to my face caked in yellow dust. It’s in my teeth. I cannot escape it.
And I am dry. Very dry. My lips. My skin. My eyes. My hair. One wrong move and I might chip off and flake away. And with these winds, who knows where I might end up! Uganda perhaps?
Christmas as I know it has been transformed. Gone are the cut out snow flakes. Gone are the thoughts of hot cocoa and wool mittens! Honestly, how do you sing, “Dashing through the SNOW, on a one horse open sleigh....” here without laughing? It’s totally ridiculous.
Even the traditional Christmas Carols start taking on whole new meanings. When I sing, “Away in a manger, no crib for a bed...”, I imagine a mud tukul surrounded by cows and goats. It, too, is covered in a thin layer of fine yellow dust and so is baby Jesus! Ha!
Christmas. Christmas in Sudan. *Sigh*
I do have to say there is one HUGE benefit in spending Christmas here. I am not ‘shopping’ or ‘running around’ or ‘holiday stressing’. I’m stress free. I feel no obligation to shop and not even a hint of stress. It’s pretty nice.
No. It’s REALLY nice.
So, if I can be so bold. I pray that you all are having a Sudanese Christmas -- stress free and hot! (minus the layer of yellow dust!)
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Hello Stephanie,
ReplyDeleteI understand about the Christmas heat. We swelter in Australia for Christmas. And yes it is laughable. We actually have a whole set of Aussie Christmas carols for the occassion. The dust is one thngs I am sure you could do without though. Thinking of you and sweating along with you.
Praise God for sending Jesus! Merry Christmas
Nicole
I TOTALLY here ya! Totally. I kept forgetting it was Christmas. Until the kids came to the door singing and saying "advanced merry Crees-mas!" of course ;)
ReplyDeleteI remember those heats! You are doing a great job. Love you
ReplyDeleteWe hear you too hear in Texas! It was almost 80 degree's yesterday, and did not feel like Christmas. So whether you are in the Sudan or in the South West in the good'O US of A, you would probable be feeling the same, minus the dust. We love you Steph and think and pray for you often. I thank you Jesus for equipping Stephanie to be about your business Father. Bless her, strengthen her and fill her this Christmas and New year. Amen!! :D Love, Janet & Jim Miller
ReplyDeleteYeah, heat and dust. There's no snow here in Hagerman, but it is a little chilly. I really enjoy the anti-stress of the Sudanese Christmas. I still abide by a no-stress policy but I think I am the only one. Nairobi even tried to drag the stress out of me but I forbade.
ReplyDeleteMerry Jesus' Birthday Celebration!
Joshua