Four Very Happy Teenagers

Several rare occurrences intervened to make four very happy teenagers.

First off - 99% of the time I am without transport and walk or ride a taxi everywhere I go.

For one week December 22-29, I hired (rented) a car.

Next it was Christmastime

Lastly, we invited our favorite teens over to our flat for an afternoon of American missionary living... which is so very different from their world growing up in Ntshongweni, South Africa.

Sunday, December 23 after church the festivities begun.  First time was a trip to the grocery store.  Ginger, my ministry partner, took the four to the store, while Kristin and I went to KFC to pickup a bucket of chicken and all the mixin's.  

Here,  Buyelani, 14years old plays with Ginger's computer.

A portrait of Princess - undoubtedly taken by someone playing with the camera. 

A portrait of Ayanda - undoubtedly taken by someone playing with the camera.

Ditto with Buyelani (14 years old; Grade 9).

Ditto with Nhianhia (15 years old; Grade 10)

Good grief - Ayanda (13 years old; Grade 8)

Lunch is ready - come help yourself... in our tiny galley kitchen.  After the prayer and during the meal we watched The Charlie Brown Christmas movie.

Delicious lunch is over and time to get ready to leave to go to our friends pool.

Hail, hail the gang's all here.

Our friend owes a B & B and was so very kind to allow us to bring these teens over for a dip.

In America it is very common for our small children to take swimming lessons - that is not true here.  These children did not know the proper way to swim but had a total and complete blast nevertheless.

Back at the flat for some mango - yummy.

Ginger gets out all the fixin's for a banana split.

Such a special treat: whip cream, bananas, strawberry topping, chocolate sauce, two favors of ice cream, and sprinkles.

This is awesomeness.

We watched the movie Elf.  I had to explain Santa Claus - elf's - snow and most every aspect of the movie.  We take so much for granted and for these children living in poverty - Christmas is a day of the year associated with the birth of Jesus Christ (maybe) and not much more.  They knew no Christmas songs, don't decorate their houses, and receive no gifts.

It was very special for Ginger, Kristin and I to be able to provide an extraordinary day, one they will always remember as we celebrated Jesus, Immanuel - God with us being born on Christmas day.