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T’was the week before Christmas and many of the 58 children from the Bill and Bette Bryant Crisis Nursery and the House of Martha were too excited to sleep. No, they were not waiting for Santa but for BOB (our Big Old Bus) to come to take them to town to buy new outfits and shoes for their Christmas gifts.
 Traditionally, the week before Christmas, Zambian children go to the store with their Moms and Dads to pick out a new outfit and shoes. The new purchases are then put away until they reappear along with a toy wrapped for Christmas Day. Just before the whole family enjoys a special meal together the children open their gifts and dress up in their new clothes. Before they came to our homes, it is doubtful any of these children had participated in this marvelous tradition. The excitement was almost too much to bear!
The little ones went into the store first. They were completely speechless, standing stock still not knowing what to do. It was apparent they had never been in a department store like this in their entire young lives. Little Gabriel was the first to break the silence and he ran at top speed to see the boy’s shorts. Pretty soon everyone followed and began looking at pants, shirts, dresses and shoes. What a sight and what a delight! The last ones out of the store were the older girls who simply could not make up their minds on anything. They tried on dresses, jeans and skirts. Then they started all over again and until they finally got it just right.
The Christmas party was absolutely wonderful. It did not rain, the jumping castle held up under the pounding of so many little feet and the Gospel band played and played while everyone danced and danced. The big moment came when the children went to exchange their old clothes for the new. Beaming with pride as the drum rolled, they walked out parade-style as the adults clapped and tr illed in true African style.
The older children then treated us to a performance about the birth of Jesus. The Magi wore paper hats, Herod had a charcoal beard and the script was frequently interrupted by giggles. There has never been a finer nativity play or a more precious group of children participating.
We knew the horrifying backgrounds of the children performing and of the little ones intently watching. But the memories of those days were nowhere to be seen this Christmas Day. On this day of holy joy in the presence of these reclaimed children, we wondered if Heaven was singing with us.
Read some stories about Bryant Crisis Nursery children:
Adopted By Street Boys | The Serial Orphan | Big Miracle for Little Boy
Bill & Bette Bryant Home | House of Moses | House of Martha |
