I'm bringing 80's back!

Hellooo!

Well we had a lovely Christmas. Not only did we feast on Chicken [a rarity as the chicken here is tough, puny and dry usually!] but we had a delicious chocolate pudding, compliments of Mr. Roberts! My stomach has shrunk since last Christmas so I couldn't eat as much as I usually do on Christmas day, but we were all left very full and happy. However the meal just wasn't the same without my classic tradition of mint jelly!

After lunch with everyone, Esther and I went down to the Orphanage to drop off their presents. We'd spent the previous day wrapping 40 presents for each of the children. For the older kids we had a notebook, pack of colouring pencils and a toy of some sort- a pony for the girls and a small fighter jet for the boys. For the younger kids instead of the notebook we gave them a soft toy, pack of pencils and a toy car. And they absolutely LOVED it! Their reactions were priceless! I filmed it, so I'll be sure to show you all when I get back.

It really impacted me- you wouldn't even think that the gifts we gave these kids were all that special- but they are used to having little to nothing, so it meant the absolute world to them. They were jumping up and down and screaming whilst holding their presents- I've never seen kids so happy! Makes you realise kids back in Australia are pretty spoilt! I couldn't imagine them getting so excited over a pack of pencils! But I guess we are just very blessed- all I can say is I am very grateful to my parents for giving me so much growing up- I don't know if I was fully appreciative of it at the time- but I certainly am now! Overall it was a great Christmas, and gong to see the kids was the most special- I really understand now why parents go to so much trouble for Christmas- to see the joy on children’s faces when they get their presents is worth every hour of wrapping!

Oh and the case of the missing shoes has been solved! The other day when we went to the drop-in Christmas party, one of the boys was wearing them! He says he bought them off the street- we don't know for sure, but he needed them more than I did- so it doesn't really matter- and anyways, I must be accepted here- it’s kind of a given if people steal from you and get them sold straight away! Ha-ha

We went to Lake Bunyonyi today- it’s not far from Kabale- it’s the deepest lake in Africa and is absolutely BEAUTIFUL. I'll post some pictures of it soon on face book.

Oh and I took my braided hair last night- and lets just say, it looked as if I'd stuck my finger in a powerpoint or was trying to bring back the 80's! Cindy Lauper would of been proud! I'm getting it re-done on Saturday by a friend of ours [she insisted!] and this time i'll be sleeping with a cotton cap on as to stop it getting so fuzzy! So it should be good!

Well hope you all had a lovely Christmas. My next update will probably be after we get back from Queen Elizabeth- so have a fantastic New Year!

Love,
Olivia