Masha, Svieta, Nadia, and Gina had been worked hard to write a skit that would portray the joy of Christmas, the gospel message, and tell the story in both English and Russian. It was a tall order but they had accomplished it.
Our director lead out this Friday Club announcing the different opening events while most of us got into costume and I rehearsed my lines.
Before the main skit the youth group again had a skit.
This time they told about a family who helped several poor and needy people who came to their door the night of Christmas when they were expecting Jesus to arrive and spend the evening meal with them. When they were disappointed at the end of a long wait, they prayed and asked why Jesus had never come. The reply was that he had come, in the form of three needy people and each time they had shared their meal with him.
The play was lovely and inspiring. I always enjoy it when our youth get involved in the events at the language center.
Time had come for the play several of the students and teachers had been practicing for.
Charl, a blind beggar man, sat near the entrance of the market place in Bethlehem calling out for gifts of money for the poor. Svieta, a rich merchant, dropped a stone in his hands as she walked past. Several of the other merchants laughed as they made their way into the market to set up for the day.
A few moments later David, one of Jesus's followers, came in and offered to tell the beggar a story that was worth much more than money.
He then proceeded to call all the villagers together and invite them to hear a story that would be of great interest. Alla /Gina Sabbath morning, who was a visitor from the north, wanted to know what was going on and so one of the traveled merchants who knew Russian translated for her.
My character was then able to tell the gospel message. One of the merchants scoffed at the story and another merchant told how it must be true because she was present so many years ago when the shepherds came and found the child the angles had told them about.
In the end the merchant who was first very mean to the beggar sees the new hope in Jesus and she apologies to the beggar and invites everyone to her house to celebrate this good news.
The play was well received and we had such a fun time. The evening was not over.
We then went on to graduate two of my favorite students I had since coming to Almaty. The graduation proceed as normal with the presentation of certificates and then took a sudden twist when my two students asked me to sit down as they had prepared a speech.
They then proceed to tell a fabulous tale about learning English with me over the last several months. They incorporated several hundred idioms into the speech. It was an amazing master piece and so special. Gina and I were rolling with laughter. I was so touched by this amazing gift.
That evening was so busy but will go down in the my memory as one of the best Christmas parties of my life.
Less than 48 hours later, Gina and I were on an airplane headed for the USA to spend Christmas with our families. This was another Christmas present that was so special.
