This is my African family that are at Ahadi.
Hi Everyone,
Just a quick note to let you all know that I have arrived safely in TZ. I was greeted at the airport by Julius and Freeman. It always warms my heart to see their smiling faces and get their warm Tanzanian welcomes. I had about an hour drive to get to Ahadi Lodge, so I was able to have some great conversations and laughs with them.
Remember I always say that you need to remain flexible when you are in Africa, well we had to park the car and the guys from the lodge came to help carry my luggage as we walked to the lodge. The road was all tore up and had big holes were they are repairing some broken sewer lines. They say they should be fixed in a couple of days, but I have seen what a couple of days is here.
I brought a box of chocolates for a Christmas gift for the staff at Ahadi Lodge. They are like family to me and always treat me and my team so well. They were excited and so gracious for the delicious chocolates. The things that we take for granted at home are quit a joy to receive here.
The day after Christmas is called Boxing Day here, which is the day that you give Christmas gifts. I was asking everyone what type of Christmas gifts that they received and they said they do not give or get gifts because they cannot afford them, so it is not part of their Christmas like it is for ours. We need to all reflect back on our wonderful Christmas holiday and be grateful for the Christmas goodies, home cooked meals, presence of family and the wonderful gifts that we received. The one thing that is the biggest gift of all to the people of Tanzania is the celebration of the birth of Jesus at Christmas. That is the greatest gift of all!