Christmas Blessings

Mazabuka, Zambia



Cassie's hut where I spent Christmas!

My dear family and friends,



A cow head that was sitting outside my house. I'm here with my
friend Dana. I definitely don't have the courage to eat THAT

Merry Christmas from Zambia! I hope that these days are filled with peace and every blessing for you as we celebrate the birth of Jesus! Being here in a culture that doesn’t celebrate by giving gifts, I am definitely removed from the commercialism of the holidays, but it also makes me really appreciate the genuine love and thoughtfulness behind the gifts I have been given in past years. I spent the better part of last week with my Peace Corps friends in their villages (without electricity or running water) and it was definitely a Christmas that won’t be easily forgotten. It was full of new experiences and not at all like the Christmas we have in the States! I was in Lubombo for Christmas day which started with Cassie and I walking through rain, knee-deep puddles, and fields of maize in order to get to church. After waiting 1.5 hours it finally got underway and afterwards we were fed nshima and chicken. I was ‘nakuta maningi (too full)’ that day because we rushed back after that to have lunch with our other friends. After a soccer game involving the village headman and several other important people, we spent the evening dancing in and around the streets! Life in the village is simple but beautiful in its own way. I’m keeping this short because I really just have to add that I am so so grateful for each one of you who has made 2012 such a memorable year! Here’s to 2013!

Annie

Some of my American friends: Matt, Ty, Cassie, (and thats me).

My ride back into Mazabuka from Chikankata. Before it ended up
being 22 people, 2 large suitcases, and two live chickens. I had to
put my backpack on the roof of the truck because
there was no other place!