The Wittz End: Celebrating Chinese New Year

Gathered around to play a game.

Having the opportunity to learn about Chinese culture while living in Gtown sounds like an oxymoron experience . But that is exactly what these past 9 and a half months have looked like. This past Thursday, February 15th ,we celebrated Chinese New Year for the first time. First there was a fun game. A sister would bang on a metal plate for a few seconds while a balloon was passed from person to person. When the banging stopped, the person holding a balloon would have to do a funny activity. After games there was singing and dancing performances. We were able to take time to pray for Kenya and Somalia which is the very reason all of us are here in the first place. Next we feasted on many dumplings and other foods (including lobsters, spicy cabbage, noodles and Chinese vegetables. ) There were 3 coins hidden in 3 different dumplings amongst hundreds. Samara, Jason, and Nevaeh were the ones to find them and win the prizes. Lastly the children lit homemade lanterns while the grown ups played a bible trivia game. It was definitely a day to be remembered .

God never ceases to amaze me on how He perfectly orchestrates things. Often times He is teaching me something specific and uses several ways to confirm this to me, like the same message is not just found in scriptures I am meditating on but also in a novel I am reading or a random movie I put on to watch or through someone I talk to. It makes me really pay attention not to miss out on what God is trying to tell me, it is no accident. This year, for 5th grade homeschool , all the books have to do with the Eastern Hemisphere. Not only are we embracing team members from the far East and learning more about how that looks like, my daughters and I are diving into research during the day about this country and the surrounding ones. I am listening and learning so so much. Lord, I know you are at work and humbled to be invited to join in Your work.

Banging on the metal plate while the baloon is passed around.

Explaining the task.

Decorations .

Snacks. My favorite are the almonds, pistachios and sunflower seeds.

Delicious dumplings being made.

After dumplings are boiled, you must shake them around to prevent them from sticking together. Michelle is doing an excellent job .

In China red banners are put around houses to protect families against evil spirits. Believers are reminded of the Passover and God's protection against the angel of death!