Christmas Greetings from sunny Salone

Christmas has come around fast and furious, especially in our family where the partying starts as soon as its December, with birthdays, wedding anniversaries and school Christmas concerts following close on the heels of Christmas day. Thank God we’re not in London where the commercialized frenzy is hard to ignore. We may be able to get away with the odd present, but definitely couldn’t get away from Joelle’s birthday bash. And what a bash it was. There were two parties, the first at a kiddies play venue for the new school friends on December 3rd and the day after for our new friends on the guest house compound. It was lovely and short, just about four hours, with the hassle of cooking and cleaning left to caterers. Perfect, although we felt a distinct light weightiness of pocket at the end. It was nevertheless memorable.



And so, as we stumble from one celebration to the next, we remember the joy of the angels, shepherds, wise men and the parents of Jesus in this season. We can truly embrace these emotions as we celebrate our children’s birthdays and our own wedding anniversary. It has been challenging as we also have no place to call our own but unlike Jesus and his parents, the kindness of strangers have sustained us in these tough times. These strangers are more like family now. We continue to count our blessings as we embrace the challenges of the last few months. Our search continues for appropriate accommodation as it seems we might not be properly settled until the middle of next year, as we plan to move into temporary accommodation by the end of the month ( hopefully before Christmas). This is not unique to Freetown, we’re told, and so we live in hope.


So wherever you are, in what ever circumstance or weather, we wish God’s grace, mercy and blessing on you and your family as we remember the gift we were given at Christmas. Jesus Christ left His majestic home to be born in a smelly stable, to a teenage mother and a very reluctant father. Members of the lowest rated profession were one of the first to welcome Him. What a scene…but the fact is He came, He lived, He died, He rose again, He advocates and He will come again for us. Alleluia. Merry Christmas all.