Twas the night before Christmas when all through the base
Some creatures were stirring – the mosquitos, and some girls on the World Race
The wool socks were hung on the Eno strap with care
In hopes that the teammates got some meager treats from Shoprite to put in there.
The other teammates and YWAMers were sweating in bed
As precious mosquito nets fluttered overhead.
McCrea, Grace and Liz who really are learning,
Made modest presents and wrote some Sunday School lessons and Christmas morning’s sermon. (because we got put in charge of that 23 hours before it was scheduled to begin)
When all of a sudden, the clock struck midnight,
There came the sound of fireworks and the promise of a show of light.
Through the kitchen and lots of green plastic chairs we crashed,
And arrived outside where our hopes of seeing fireworks quickly were dashed.
But the stars were out to put on a show,
And the joy of Christmas in our hearts began to grow.
Out from the phone came “O Holy Night”
As we three plus Claude/Cloud the dog gazed at the stars so bright.
After “wow, African Christmas” and awe for half an hour
Inside we went for a refreshing Christmas bucket shower.
Then into bed it was time to crawl
For our tasks for Christmas morning church were certainly not small.
So different from ever, but still so right,
Simple and precious was this Christmas Eve night.
Sacred, holy, sweaty, and blessed,
Twas a Christmas to be remembered, no matter how spectacular the rest.
