Christmas aboard the Africa Mercy is always a special time. We are very aware of the preciousness and lack of family and friends in far away countries. But at the same time, we gain a deeper appreciation for the crew of the ship who has become like family.
Thinking about this Christmas aboard the ship, I have become very aware of the lack of commercialism. Yes, we get glimpses of it on the TV, but we are not bombarded with it in the malls, on the streets, radio, or even in the newspaper. It is easier, in some ways, to keep our focus on the birth of our Saviour. There is a much appreciate simplicity. This simplicity is seen in many ways throughout the ship...
We still have a tree with presents under, or should I say, around it...
Shoes are placed outside the door for crew to bless each other with small tokens of love...
Creativity abounds in wrapping-a simple Christmas napkin is known as "ship wrapping"...
The mess after opening gifts is still the same...
Simple blessings are appreciated. One of the crew did a marvelous job making the Africa Mercy out of gingerbread...
Fruit is a precious gifts...grapes and yellow bananas. One of the young children asked his mother if the yellow banana is okay to eat-since most of the bananas we see are green and brown...
Dinner with friends who have become like family...
But most of all spending time together as family rejoicing over the birth of our Saviour Jesus is what I have treasured the most.
May you find the wonder, awe, and joy of His birth this Christmas season.
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