Bringing in the NEW YEAR

New Year's was another major event!
I had several invitations and plans on how to end 2007 and bring in 2008.
First of all- I had the opportunity to accompany Hannah, a friend, on the piano while she sang, "I wonder as I wander". She has a lovely voice and it sounded great! The good thing for me was, I only goofed once or twice. My language teacher asked me after the service was over if I had made a mistake. I said - yes. She said that she could tell- BECAUSE I smiled.


Hannah singing and me playing piano.


After the performance at the church, Anita and I trekked to Abu George's house. We work with him at the Village. He is a very kind man and his family is very sweet. We entered his home and were greeted warmly by his wife and 3 daughters. Some other relatives were there and they seemed quite shy. Everyone got warmed up after we got out some cards and began playing "slap-it". A game where you try to get all the cards by slapping the doubles. The children really enjoyed it, as did Abu George. He is a kid/jokester in a man's body.

Playing "slap-it".


After playing cards, we ate and then played more cards. The time went so quickly that we began to hear fireworks going off. So we all headed to the roof of the house for a clear view of the fireworks. It was amazing. The fireworks were going on all around us. I nearly got dizzy from turning in circles trying to see all the fireworks.
FYI: nearly all buildings have roofs that are flat. I think part of the reason is that families often build new floors on top of their parents houses. So if a family has 3 sons, you can expect that the parents will have a place and each son will build a home on top of the next until you have a 4 story home. They are very family oriented here.
FIREWORKS!


Hanging out on top of the roof. Anita surrounded by Abu George's daughters and nieces. Abu George standing with his oldest daughter.