Heri ya Chrismasi!

This is my second Christmas in Tanzania now!  It is hard teaching right up until Christmas rather than having that wind down time where we can go crazy with Christmas crafts, games etc.  We did however make life a little Christmassy with Christmas stockings once again!

This year I have also decided to bake something special for each students' birthday.  Unfortunately for me, there are 5 birthdays in December so lots of baking!

Sadly too, Kamilla, our student from Norway left to return home....so an excuse for even more cake!

The day after school finished, we were back at school for the Global Effect Christmas party.  This is a chance for us to thank all the local staff that work as cleaners, guards, teacher assistants and gardeners for the organisation. 

Sharon and Nice - the beautiful ladies who clean at our school

My job: craft with these cute kiddies

Grace's gorgeous girl Laura :)

All the Teachers and TAs

Yummy Pilau for lunch!

 Next, was a pretty special present: A visitor!!!!! Sacha is in Tanzania for a month - first visiting me, then travelling around, then back for another visit when school starts.

Airport selfie! I'm just a bit excited....

Some of the teachers organised a party for all the teacher assistants.  We played games, and enjoyed lots of yummy food.

With my sista Grace

It's been so nice to have Sacha stay!  And also good that I get to say hello again before she heads back to Aus.  Apart from endless chatting (mostly me, I think I've missed Aussie conversation!) we went on a coffee tour.  The guide was so sweet and insisted we take photos of every part of the process.  I feel we know enough to start our own plantation now!

Kili finally came out to say hello!

Picking coffee beans

Drying coffee beans after the shells are removed

Removing the skins (I have no muscles!)

Coffee getting roasted

Coffee grinds ready to add to water

Time for a cup - I didn't have the heart to tell
him I don't like coffee!

 Christmas eve was once again time for the Carols by Candlelight service at church.  I love the atmosphere so much, but it is a bit hard to take photos!

Back again to church for the Christmas Day service. I love being a part of this congregation.

Finally, the day ended with a yummy dinner at Marenka and Heiko's place.  They had two other families join them as well - one with 4 kids and one with 7!  So many kids but still lots of fun...and some pretty amazing food (the lack of pictures is because I was too busy eating!)

So beautiful and creative!

Josua knows the best place to be: at the dessert table!

So that was Christmas!  Tomorrow we leave for a beach trip with some of the Global Effect people.  It's an 8 hour drive and we are leaving at 4:45 am!!!  I'm looking forward to some ocean time!

God's blessings