Saturday 22nd December 2007

Today there was an air of excitement in the house, everyone was running around preparing for the party today, and before we knew it we were ready and had hours to wait.  Phil and I went to town to waste a bit of time, and ended up walking around the clothes markets, where I picked up some second hand Dockers shoes for around 12 AUD.  Not sure how much they would cost back home, but I am told they would be expensive.  Afterwards we had a lunch at Edirisa and then made our way back home, still with a couple of hours to wait.

Finally 3pm came and Phil arrived with the first car load of guests, mostly children.  As soon as they walked in and saw the balloons we had over the floor they went crazy and played for ages with them, until the second car load came and the inside got too crowded, so we let them go outside.  After a while we had the party food, and if no one else liked it the matrons certainly did.  Then the children went outside to run around the yard for a while so we could clean up and prepare for pass the parcel game and a time for giving out presents.  Here are some photos of the day, you can click on each photo to see a bigger view:

  

  

  

  

It was such an awesome experience giving the children this day and especially giving every one their christmas presents.  I think that it was the best Christmas for most people there, including myself.  To see such joy and excitement over the small gifts we gave them is a very moving and rewarding thing.  Here is a photo of those at the party, all the children, most staff members and volunteers: