Week 11

I'm Dreamin' of a White Christmas

Christmas party with the other Branch

They went all out with Decorations!

Hey Everybody!

Christmas is on it's way, and it's coming fast!

I've had many ask me what Christmas is like in Uganda, but I really don't know a whole lot yet! Let me tell you what I do know: Christmas is very simple here. I have seen a few Christmas Trees in public places here in the city. Christmas is a big commercial boost here in Uganda. The weeks leading up to Christmas is when everybody comes into town to make purchases. Children generally get new clothes on Christmas. For the most part, the holiday is about coming together as a family. People often go back to their home villages for the holiday and enjoy time and meals together. (as far as I know there aren't any special traditional foods for Christmas... just the normal local food I have showed you before.)

It really doesn't feel like Christmas here. It is warm and sunny! I feel the Christmas spirit whenever we are invited to a members, or sing Christmas songs in church, but it's just not the same. I never thought I'd say this, but in a way I almost miss the frigid white stuff I quite enjoy singing about. I almost miss being cold simply for the feeling of warming up. It made me feel at home when we had a cold rainy morning this week. It kind of felt like Christmas!

Cooking for the party

I work in the Kajjansi 1 Ward, but the Kajjansi 2 Branch invited our ward (and us specifically) to join in their Christmas festivities! Us full time missionaries were asked to share a talent/do some sort of a skit. We couldn't come up with anything, so after explaining that missionaries really don't have that many talents; Elder Brewer started us off with his animal noises. He is actually really good at mimicking Animal Noises. The audience loved it! I then led into my classic rendition of 'White Christmas' with a dramatic story about how far away from home I am, and how Christmas just isn't Christmas without snow. They laughed so hard when I started singing! They took it exactly how I hoped they would! The sisters then did a little skit of their own. One guy told me I sounded like a country singer, and how it was his dream to visit Nashville! They filled the night with fun skits, music, dancing, and some really good food! I'm telling you: Africans know how to party! I hope our Ward Party is anywhere near that fun!

Things here are really pretty normal. Time is passing quickly: I have hardly noticed Christmas creeping up so quickly it's scary. We are keeping busy and working hard. I seriously love being a Missionary in the best mission in the world: #UgandaKampalaMission! Thank you all for your kind words of support. They make it bearable to be so far away! I hope you all enjoy the next week as we prepare for the holiday! Make it a memorable one!

Best Wishes,

-Elder Winn

I asked Brother Evander what how they celebrate Christmas in Uganda.  This was his reply...

Christmas here, people flock the churches for prayers ,Christmas songs are played on the streets ,after church people go home and prepare a different meal from what they eat every day ,they eat, after they flock pubs those who drink ,or entertainment centres for enjoying