Christmas in the village

When I first got to Gbaukuchi Village, I wanted to follow some laid down rules of the Ministry as practiced in the city but some were not working. Certain rules such as starting Workers’ meeting by 7 a.m. every Sunday, followed by Sunday school at 8 a.m. proved to be a big challenge as members were not showing up in church until 9 a.m. I had to adjust the timing a bit to suit theirs. After all, the church is a gathering of Christians who are in one accord.

 It was December 2015, the year I got to Gbaukuchi Village. As it is the practice in most churches in the cities, that several programs like Christmas Carol, Christmas parties, etc. are planned and held few days to Christmas, I had planned similar things in my head and though I was excited, I wondered how it would go.

 

On Thanksgiving Day, which was the first Sunday of the month and the last thanksgiving service for the year, I excitedly announced that we would be having our inaugural Christmas Carol and Christmas Party the Sunday before Christmas. Surprisingly there was no show of emotions or excitement at the news. The Congregation was indifferent. I repeated myself and entreated the interpreter to emphasize the announcement yet the response was the same…cold response!

Christmas in the Village

 

On getting to the village the following Sunday, the interpreter motioned to me that the members wanted to have a short meeting with me. At the meeting, they put forward a proposal that the Christmas Party be held on Christmas Day. I initially refused as I had a stereotyped mindset of the practice in the city where Christmas parties were held before Christmas and on Christmas Day, each church member would be at home celebrating with family members. The villagers then told me that Christmas used to be very boring for them. They would sit at home with nothing to do till sunset. They wanted a situation they would gather in church, make a feast, sing, dance, and praise God for the birth of His begotten Son. I was touched and I imagined the scenario they painted. I agreed.

We changed plans and announced a big Christmas party to be held on Christmas Day. There would be a church and Carol service followed by a big party to wrap up the day.

 

Now the big challenge, we had to raise funds for the party before the day and we barely had two weeks left. I sent messages to friends and family members but most of them had commitments in their churches too. I put down the cash I had but it was barely enough. I had to pray to God for help. That same week, help came through people. Someone sent money for a bag of rice, another person sent money for cartons of drinks, and all of a sudden, things were taking shape. Then I knew even God desires that His people be made happy at certain festivities like this.

 

The next Sunday, I gave them all cash I had so they could buy a live goat to cap the feast for Christmas, and this brought a shout of joy from the parishioners. I dropped the money by faith as I wondered how I would survive till the end of the year. It was a few days before Christmas. On getting home, my sister called to notify me of the money she was sending to me and specifically told me to use it to buy a Christmas goat for the villagers. Later the same day, another friend who was also a Christian Minister in another denomination, with whom I had discussed the party, also sent me money to add to the fund I needed for the Christmas Goat. And when I added the cash together, it amounted to the same amount I had dropped for the villagers for the purchase of the live goat!!! Our God is awesome.

 

The Party went very well, the villagers were overjoyed. So many people came, including Muslims. It was the first of its kind. The service was short, followed by carol songs and the celebration began. They sang, clapped, and danced all through. They took a break to feast and continued dancing. It was a day of joy. They did not want to stop. My family and I had to leave them to continue the party as we did not want to leave the village when it was dark. As we drove home, we pondered on these little things we take for granted in the cities.

 

Since that day, it has become our annual practice to hold Christmas parties on Christmas Day in the village. This we have done through the help of friends, colleagues and Christians in general. 25th of December 2020 will be our sixth Christmas party in the village and we are trusting in you all for support.

To support the Christmas Party for the villagers, kindly send your donations to:

Adeola Olanrewaju

1900291968

Heritage Bank