This morning, children all over the world are waking up to an abundance of toys and goodies under the Christmas Tree.
Most of the Children in Sierra Leone will wake to nothing under the tree,
there will be no Christmas tree
and their bellies will be growling with hunger.
Families will get together in the Holiday Spirit and enjoy large full course meals together complete with several desserts.
For many in Sierra Leone, a handful of boiled rice will be their fill for the day.
There will be those children in First World Countries that will grumble at not getting the right toy, or those that quickly become bored with their abundance of toys and begin looking for more presents, something more to keep them stimulated.
The Children of Nazareth House Apostolate School in Kabala have just got the word that James is in town. He has brought them their Christmas gift …and for most of them… it is the only gift they will receive.
Nevertheless, the excitement is evident as they run
to the school to collect this very special treat. As they hurriedly make their way to the Nazareth House School,
we notice they are wearing the shoes they received some weeks ago through the Nazareth House/One Love “We Got Feet” Collection Drive.
The shoes are dusty showing the residue of the winds of the Harmattan Season. To the people in Kabala, it is cold and dust covers everything during this time. Happy with anticipation, they wait for the teachers
to hand out the special gift that will make their day. And then they receive their prize! They didn’t get a gameboy,
they didn’t get any games,
they didn’t get new clothes,
nor did they get a Barbie Doll,
or a scooter, or anything like that… they got a candy cane.
One Candy cane is their entire Christmas Gift
and you know what?
They are totally delighted
and very satisfied.
Look at these faces,
see the smiles…
I’ve seen a lot of children with more toys than they know what to do with,
but I’ve never seen those children
with smiles as big
and genuine
as these Kabala children.
The NHA teachers enjoyed a candy cane themselves!
On the way to Kabala to deliver the candy canes, James and Albert stopped at some of the villages to give out the tasty little canes.
At first the children weren’t too sure of what this object was…
but they quickly found out.
May you enjoy the real meaning of Christmas today and always.
God bless you all.
