A Serukam Christmas (Part 2)

The last blog post got you up to the Christmas Eve, which is when the activities really get going. So here we go...

First is a Christmas Eve Service but it might be different than the typical Christmas Eve Service where you are. Yes, there is a candlelight portion and lots of singing of Christmas carols etc. There is also a sermon. Then you completely switch tones and small groups from different Sunday school classes or other groups perform special dance numbers and sing Christmas songs. This year the service lasted only 3+ hours :)

We start with formal worship. 

My seat mates for the Christmas Eve Service :) 

Some of our lovely lady doctors.

Following a sermon we switch to the more upbeat celebration. 

Finally there are several special music and dance numbers. 

Following the service the younger doctors, some of our support staff, and myself gathered at the hospital. We went to visit all the patients and sing Christmas carols for them. We also gave them a present and prayed for them by name. There were only about 20 patients total. We spent time with two moms at the hospital with their premature infants and another mom who had recently experienced a miscarriage. There were tears and sadness mixed with the joy of the season for some.

Getting ready for caroling

Then we headed to the home of some of our senior doctors and enjoyed some food and fellowship.

Christmas morning we were back at church and then it was time for visiting. The Muslim people also go visiting during their big holiday - Idul Fitri and the Chinese people do it at Chinese New Year too. So instead of staying home with your family on Christmas day or even celebrating with your extended family, here in Serukam and surrounding areas we go visiting. You visit neighbors and friends and others you haven't seen in awhile and catch up. Everyone spends the month of December baking and preparing. At some homes it is just snacks and cookies with some soda or other drinks. At other homes though it is a full meal. The Dyak people here love to eat pig and this is a fun time of year for them to prepare their favorite dishes.

Different groups travel around together. 

It is important to visit those in positions of authority etc first. This house was a local government official's house. The little girls were dancing to songs from Frozen as we got ready to leave. Oh and the Santa behind sings and dances. 

And we eat...

... and eat! 

Thanks to the dateline I get to celebrate Christmas for more than 24 hours though as I stay up late to celebrate with family at home via Skype. To help ease the loneliness from family and friends I enjoy opening my the cards and packages that have been sent.

Cards from family and friends, including some lovely hand-drawn ones from Sunday School kids. 

Packages from home filled with things to help me remember that snow exists and make some fun Christmas cookies. 

All in all it might not be the same as Christmas in the US but it has its special moments and as I get to know my community better it will become even better.