It’s been quite a Christmas here in Laos, which will finally be finishing off tonight with the Laos church youth coming to sing Christmas carols.

This is the first time for these young people to take part in a caroling adventure. One of the members attended an Asian Christian conference in Thailand 2 months ago. Christian young leaders from all over the region came together to share, plan, create, worship and pray. Those from Thailand were excited to explain the Westerners’ and Europeans’ caroling tradition, which is now becoming quite popular it seems in Thailand.

Our Laos youth have never done this before. I am one of the fortunate ones to be on their list.

My Christmas Home: A Bit Overboard

All those boxes from China finally came unpacked and weeded through except for (you guessed it), my Christmas things.

I had 6 boxes of my 35-year holiday collection that found their way to Laos. There it sat into that second storage bedroom, along with everything else. I went through the clothes, the school supplies, hundreds of books, teaching materials, the jewelry, the make-up, the bedding, the kitchen stuff . . . . but I left all the holidays until they began arriving.

First was Halloween’s 2 boxes. Then came Thanksgiving’s folders. Next was to be Christmas but . . . . so much!

I decided to limit myself: the Christmas hats for students and staff parties or home visitors, 1 tabletop tree (I had 5, different sizes), a bit of the tinsel roping, a stocking or two, and maybe a few dangles, including 2 wall hangings. Naturally just a few strands of lights as to make things look festive.

All the rest I would go through leisurely, after Christmas. I’d re-pack it all into those 6 storage containers I purchased at the D-mart just for that purpose. All would be clearly labeled. Then next year, I’d have my holiday extravaganza, including open houses for neighbors, students, school staff, apartment staff, friends and all of Laos if I so choose.

Well, folks, as you can see below, what was to be just a few festive items in my home ballooned into a visual holiday feast.

Anyone approaching my home. . . .

would never in their lifetime expect what was inside. (Again, a reminder the below is a slideshow. Click on the arrows on the first picture to progress.)

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A Few Visitors

It took about 4 days, with maybe 70% of Connie’s Christmas in full view, before I was somewhat satisfied.  With my late decorating, I wasn’t able to invite as many over as I’d wanted but I did manage a Christmas soup dinner.   On Christmas Day, country director David, his wife Sora and my GMF Shaloom enjoyed what I had to offer, both for the eyes and the stomach.  They were a bit floored by the display, including raised eyebrows when I mentioned that, with my calculations, most likely 30% of the decor was still at large, hiding somewhere in a few untouched China boxes.

 Closing Off My Christmas in Laos

As I wait for my carolers to arrive, my last visitors of the year,  I leave you with these final few photos of my 2024 holiday here in Vientiane.  May God’s blessings fall you on all  to close out 2024, and may 2025 bring with it a glorious year of joy, excitement and an enthusiastic spirit to serve.

From Connie, and her dog Winnie, here in Laos