Merry Christmas and Happy New Year in Congo!!!

We enjoyed the holidays here in Congo. We definitely missed our family, but we were blessed with great friends here who made us feel at home. Christmas Eve day we spent all day with the youth group from our church. Around 15 kids ending up going! We went out to a village about 30 km outside of Brazzaville. We stopped at a hospital/clinic and gave toys and clothes to some of the kids and mothers who were in the hospital. The kids enjoyed handing out the goodies and talking with people in the hospital. We then walked for about an hour and a half on a desolate dirt road to get to the village. We were SO hot and tired after this trek and the kids weren't even phased! haha Made us feel old! When we got to the village Nate and the boys played soccer with some of the village boys, and Allie played games with the girls. The youth pastor wanted the youth group to spend time with the kids from the village. They were supposed to be showing the love of Christ and sharing about God. Ww then ate lunch and sat under a tree as the youth pastor gave a devotion. We also got to walk around the village to different homes and give out more clothes and toys. The families we met were very appreciative. We found out that this was the first time most of the youth group had been to a village outside of Brazzaville. It was a first for all of us! The village was primitive with no electricity or running water. We enjoyed the time getting to know the youth group better. We were very tired and sun burned after this long day in the heat and sun!
Christmas Eve night we were invited to our friend Ann's. She cooked a great dinner and we played cards   after with 2 couples. Christmas Day we were invited over to eat dinner with a group of missionaries. We went over to Ron and Ruth's apartment which was only about a 15 minute walk from our place. We had turkey, dressing, mashed potatoes, green beans, and other great food! We then played games and did a white elephant gift exchange. Nate got chocolate truffles and I got a hand held electric mosquito killer! All the missionaries highly recommended it.
For New Year's Eve we decided to host a party of our own. We invited everyone from the office as well as a few other friends we have met so far while here in Brazza. The idea was to host a party for those at the office whose family lives elsewhere and have no other plans for the holidays. It turns out that nearly the whole office wanted to come. We had a full house to say the least. About 20 people showed up for food, fellowship, and games. We had to pull out the extra bed from our bedroom to use as a sofa. It was a little crowded but a lot of fun. Allie made macaroni and cheese as well as a chocolate cake. Some of the ladies from the office brought some food as well. After eating, we played a big game of mafia. Nate facilitated the game with one of the loan officers as his interpreter. The group really enjoyed the game and everyone had a great time. Most of the group left around 10pm, but some of our friends stuck around to play cards and welcome the new year! The holidays were very different without family around, but we had a great time getting to know everyone here better. To all our family and friends, Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! We miss you all very much!

Some of the youth group meeting at the church 

The long hot road to the village.

Pretty views of the countryside along the way

The youth pastor (left) and youth worker (right) giving a devotion

The kids resting during the devotional. They were tired from a long walk and a hour long soccer game.

 Christmas day at Ron and Ruth's Christmas dinner.

HOPE staff at our New Year's Eve party

Clement, HOPE accountant, and his son.

Rachel, Allie, and Alix. These girls are both HOPE Loan Officers.

Nate, Angie, Remi, and Bret at the Party