Christmas - in February?

So, I know it's nearing the end of February, but I figured I should blog about Christmas.  It was, afterall, my second Christmas here in Kapsowar.  It wasn't so hard being away from home this year - although I did miss my family, of course.  I think this was because my mom, sister, and Carson had just been here, and because this is starting to feel more and more like home. 
Christmas started out with the annual hospital Christmas party for all of the staff the week before.  This was convenient, as it was right outside my house.  It was a fun time of games and a live nativity play directed by Vanessa Jones and starring most of the station kids.  It was also a fun time for all of the hospital staff to hang out together.

Isaac Jones dressed up as a shepherd for the nativity.  Shepherds have paci's right?

Agather, one of our cleaning ladies, transferring beans with a straw

Hudson and Jude Jones enjoying the party

I decided to do something special for the nurses that I work with - those on the maternity and female wards.  I decided to have them all to dinner.  However, since this involved about 20 people, I figured it was easier to order out.  So, I ordered some Kenyan dishes from Elegance Hotel (restaurant) and got more than I bargained for.  The rice could have fed about 50 people.  They all enjoyed it, though, and I hope they felt appreciated for all of their hard work.

All the food ready to go in my kitchen.  The big black pot under the counter is the rice.

James, one of our Kenyan docs, with several of the nurses

The guys enjoying their food

Just like last year, on Christmas Eve, we did candlelight caroling around the wards.  It was, once again, a very neat experience and it was so great to be able to bring joy to the patients who were spending their Christmas in the hospital.  Afterwards, we all went back to the chapel and I shared with everyone about the risk that Mary took when she carried Jesus and how we should not allow what people think to sway us from what God has called us to do.  It was a good time of fellowship.

Caroling on the children's ward

Me with a special patient

Christmas morning I got up and went over to the Jones' to open presents.  It was so fun getting to be with my Kapsowar family for that.  After going into the hospital to round, I came back and we had a big brunch with my new favorite breakfast food - pumpkin pancakes.  Yum!  That night, we invited all of the medical students and visiting staff over for a big dinner together.  It was a good day - even though I did get called away from dinner for an emergency C-section.  Ah well.

Hudson and Jude with their stockings

Hudson showing off the Spiderman puzzle I gave him

I made buckeyes for our dinner.  They were great!