The miracle of the unending gas bottle

You remember the Old Testament miracle how the widow and her son had enough to eat during a famine because God somehow kept her flour and oil from running out? Well, I think something similar happened to us Christmas Day, when I had 6 other women with me in my kitchen preparing the meal.

I had found out beforehand, just in case, that the small shop opposite would be open Christmas Day in case of need, and even though out of stock at that time would have their gas bottles restocked Christmas Eve in case mine ran out.

I started cooking at 6am after getting up at 4.30am to phone the family in Australia, and as dish followed dish into the oven (roast potatoes, carrots, onions, and reheating others’ chickens) and pot after pot on the stove (beans, rare broccoli and cauliflower found just the day before, cranberry relish, hot water for fruit teas) I wondered if the gas would hold out.

With relief I finished stirring the cheese sauce mix before we all (7 single lady missionaries from 18 to 50’s and one little 5 year old African boy) sat down to eat, thinking I maybe miscalculated how far along the gas bottle was.

After the meal we watched 2007’s Melbourne Carols by Candlelight on video and then dispersed for siestas before remeeting at another home for supper and a Christmas video - so I didn’t use the stove the rest of the day. Boxing Day morning after a little sleep-in my thoughts naturally turned to a nice cup of tea … but the gas was bone-dry, not even a tiny spurt of flame. I kept trying the different knobs at different levels before giving up and sending the empty bottle across the road to the shop for a refill.

Leah came back - no gas bottles had ever arrived at the store and they had no idea when the truck would next come. That’s when it struck me that the gas had kept going long enough for our Christmas meal but no further, and had not run out while there was no possibility of refilling it.

I eventually refilled the bottle later in the day after trying at another store a little further away redirected by the second seller I visited, also empty.

I had been praying that the celebration at my place would be a good experience, had spent extra time in getting the house looking welcoming and Christmasy (eg. after 14 years and 7 moves had the scratched furniture revarnished), especially since for most of the younger short-termers it was their first Christmas in Africa or away from home, and they had already noticed how they missed the Christmas atmosphere they were used to since celebrations are so different and lower key here. So maybe it was just an extra Christmas present …!?

A new Christmas angel for 2008

Each year I try to make or buy one special Christmas ornament or decoration. Last year I combined Christmas gift money and got a wood nativity set by local craftsmen.

This year I noticed my homemade angel was showing wear after so many years of repacking, and remembered a local shop that made and sold small dolls. A few dollars and some of my carefully brought and hoarded Christmas material later I had my new angel - with pipecleaner wings and halo. Looks a little different - but so is Christmas here.

I attended one celebration the week before at the church for the Compassion children: over 200 almost identically dressed in their Christmas gift-outfits did songs, skits, and shouted memory verses before running out to the food (macaroni in a tomato sauce). The centre’s director had mentioned that without sponsors for all the children ‘the plate for 5 has to stretch for 7’ but that it was getting harder to do it. Traditionally, as invited guests we were seated and served separately, with big plates of salad and chicken and bottles of Fanta or Coke.

Another meal was planned for Christmas Eve, but after arriving at 7pm to attend the scheduled church service I left just before the ‘eats’ at 10pm, since I still had a bit of preparations for the Big Day left, and an alarm to set for 4.30am. My househelper Leah had asked for Christmas Eve off since she had lots of cooking to do for the many visitors that would wander in on the day. She’s already planning another big New Years’ cooking spree and promised me a sample of the fried cakes she makes each year.

Developing relationships . . . through eating

 

It may seem that we eat all the time in IBEO (the evening Bible college), but after a busy term we met at Pastor Tandamba's house for a last time to hand back homework and marks, talk about next term, eat a delicious meal, and generally have fun together. It's much easier in that atmosphere to break the news about low grades....

Ephesians class ended with them all preaching a sermon on a passage, some of which were better than others.

I won't be teaching next term since I'm travelling too much, as well as getting ready for coming home in March, but I see most of the students regularly at church functions (at least those from our denomination).

Graduated and away ...!

 

Within a few hours of graduation IMS started to empty, and the busy rush of the last few weeks helping students' finish their research document, participating in oral defences, getting report cards and diplomas ready, ... all made for an exhausted weekend.

Extra photos can be found on the IMS website.

Students went back by bus(es) to Benin, Guinea, Mali and regional Burkina; train to Ivory Coast, and car to other areas (motorbike for the Ouaga student). It got pretty lonely going back to work the following week and only finding the skeleton cleaning staff. I've got lots of ends to finish off before preparing for the rounds of meetings I have January and February, and my trip home for furlough in March!!!