Far North Adventure 6 - a traditional welcome

Christmas is a time for giving, for sharing, for remembering people who don't have as much as you. That's what we're told in Northern Ireland, isn't it?

On Christmas morning we went to church, via the pastor's house. Next time you think of complaining about your kitchen's 5-year old work top, a wonky cupboard door or the microwave that isn't the latest-and-greatest, remember this image.



So we took a seat in the living room and to no surprise (for they are hospitable people), the pastor's wife appeared as soon as the photo was taken with a plate of food for the guests.



It's not so much a house as a compound of linked buildings. This is a common building style around here. The bricks are dried mud – I couldn't help but think of the Hebrews in Egypt when we saw them drying at the roadside!




Once everyone (humans and animals) are in for the night, the door can be closed and everyone sleeps safely.



After Church (including choirs, bands, readings, memory verses – none of our half-hour on Christmas morning carry-on), we ate at the Hollingsworth's one last time. Then the local kids arrived, singing "Maya maya, suset" ("You are good, so good, thank-you") and carrying a basket. Judy obliged by filling it with sweets, Clarke blew more bubbles and we all went away happy.