Sunday, December 25, 2011

My Christmas in Afghanistan....




Christmas Day in Afghanistan

Wanted to share my Christmas in Afghanistan. first it's a normal workday. There is no Christmas recognition here so no celebration of any kind. Today I had to make a site visit to our new road project in Khulm, we were trying to find a good source for the road base material. We are going to make our own quarry and mine and crush our own material. We found a good source and now I can meet with the Mayor and other government officials and make arrangements to use the land. It's an interesting project with lots of complex parts to it that all need to come together. I will be going to Khulm for the next couple of day getting everything moving.

After we were done and on our way back I suggested we stop for lunch and have some kabobs ... I told them it was going to be my Christmas dinner and they said since your family isn't with you we will be your family... I said I would like that.. They laughed..

So we all went to a late lunch... Sat and had kabobs, chicken, lamb liver and a very tender beef rib... All very tasty.... Not your normal Christmas dinner but nothing has been what you and I would call normal on this adventure.....

At lunch I asked them to ask my driver to stop at the Blue Masque so that I could give to the poor... I had had a thought come to me ... That it was Christmas and I should share what I could with those less fortunate, so I got some afghan money and we stopped... I told my armed guard to stay in the car, to intimidating, and just asked someone else to escort me while I walked the sidewalk to give to some of the older men who were sitting next to the gate, begging for money...as I started handing out the money I was swarmed with about I would guess about 20 to 30 people shoving each other and me trying to get to me and the money, with more coming, I was completely surrounded and had lost my escort but two police had joined me and were trying to keep the people back and me safe.... I only wanted to give the money to the older men... It was fairly scary... But I really wanted to try to help someone ... Give my own gift of love to those in need... I was able to complete what I came there to do and was then was rushed back to the car by the police and my escort who had rejoined me which was quickly surrounded with people knocking on the window asking for money.. As we pulled out we were chased by the people still begging and wanting money... It was sad and somewhat scary....All I had wanted to do was to try and help someone.. Give my own gift of love to those in need....

As I left I was overwhelmed with how great the need is and how many so many of our brothers have so little....my emotions over took me and I had to control my tears... As I drove away again the words of the song came to my mind about giving ... And the scripture about when you give to the least of them that you are giving actually to the Lord... What greater gift could I give to my Savior on this his Birthday but to reach out in a small way.....

The rest of my day was a normal Sunday, went to the base for dinner and then to church for Sacrament service and a discussion about the birth of the Savior and ways to serve him.

It was a different day but as I think about it may be in a good way, I wasn't focused on actual gifts and opening of gifts and things, but instead on being open to the Spirit and being among non believers and sharing with them why Christmas was so special to me and one even who knew I was Mormon and asked how that was different... So a teaching moment..

Oh, I missed my family, my dear children and visiting of friends, I even missed the hustle and rushing around to get ready for Christmas but I experienced something different ...

So it was a day of simple things, a hike in the hills in the middle of nowhere, service and sharing... Prayer and pondering with Christmas music in the background ....

Maybe it was a good Christmas after all....












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