They left with joy in their hearts and smiles on their faces.  It's the biggest event of the year here at Shiloh.  They were all there, our employees, their spouses, children, and family members living with them.  We were fifteen this year.  Our annual Christmas party runs on Cameroonian time, which means we started an hour late.  But we're not in a hurry so it does not matter.  When the last ones arrive we all file upstairs to sit in a circle in the library by the upstairs Christmas tree.  Papa Jim reads to us from God's Word and reminds us of the true meaning of Christmas.  Then it's time for everyone to present their gift to us.  Early on we established the tradition that each family would sing to us.  Sometimes they sing in French and sometimes in their tribal language.  Even the little children join in.  It's a precious time.  Next we go back downstairs to have a feast.  Our menu is a three course traditional American Christmas dinner.  Next chairs are put in a circle around the downstairs tree and we distribute gifts.  One way or another we manage to find out what everyone wants in advance, so there are lots of exclamations of delight.  Dilen, the fourteen year old nephew of Francis received one of Papa Jim's old tool boxes, loaded with neat tools.  He was overjoyed to say the least.  Romeo, the 27 year old brother of Doris received a new French Bible.  He spent quite a bit of time reading it while we waited for the taxi to take everyone home.  In addition, each family received a large sack of food to transform into Christmas dinner in their homes.

Early tomorrow morning we will leave Shiloh and fight the traffic for an hour to arrive at the bus station.  We are traveling down to Daoula to spend Christmas with a dear Cameroonian couple.  We are very close to this young couple so look forward to a good time.  I won't be able to blog until we get back.

May you enjoy this special time of the year, and may you focus on the One Who was born so long ago to show us the way to the Father.