Picture the scene. It’s Christmas Eve 2008 and I am driving a minibus through Kabul in the dark. It is packed with people as are most minibuses in this country.
We are making our way along streets with no streetlights, trying to avoid potholes, speed bumps, bikes without lights (if you have lights on your bike you will probably be a foreigner), pedestrians and the odd donkey (also without lights).
After some time we finally arrive at our destination. A guard is waiting and I tell him we are expected. He glances at something written on his hand and then our number plate and waves us on.
We then come to a large barrier where we are told to wait. The barrier rises and two Landcruisers with blackened glass come out.
We are then waved up to some large doors which open and we are ushered inside. Everyone has to get out and go into a room to be scanned and searched.
Meanwhile a dog handler goes round the minibus and checks underneath with a mirror on a stick.
Another barrier is raised and large doors open to let me drive in. There is then another barrier before I can park the vehicle.
We walk into the building and are transported to another Afghanistan. This one is a five-star hotel complete with Christmas tree and all the decorations. Our group is shown into the restaurant where 40 or so people in local and international dress are eating. We are not only there for the food; we have been invited to entertain.
We set up in a corner and sing carols for an hour and a bit. A number of diners take photos and we feel like celebrities.
Following a smattering of applause we enjoy a wonderful (free) buffet meal with mulled grape juice, turkey and lots of trimmings as well as more international cuisine (including ‘chicken mouse’).
On the way back home through almost deserted streets we reflect on the evening and how – where expression of our faith is restricted – we had sung the whole gospel story to those in the restaurant. It helped to make a very meaningful and memorable Christmas.
It must have gone well because we have been invited back for 2009! Think of us on Christmas Eve.
Paul is an accountant and married to Ruth. The couple are BMS long-term workers in Afghanistan.
Please pray for BMS workers based in Afghanistan and around the world this Christmas-time, including young people serving on Action Teams. Remember those feeling far away from loved ones at this special family time.
Pray for their personal witness in the places in which they live and may they get fresh opportunities to share the good news of Christ the Saviour. Pray that they would know God’s peace and that they would be refreshed by him at this holiday time.
A real-life
nativity
“Where we live
in Afghanistan, images of the nativity are not confined to the fronts of
Christmas cards. There are donkeys everywhere and we see men in elaborate
costumes accompanied by their camels.
“Shepherds
really are out on the hills watching their sheep at night. When we moved into
our mud house one of the outbuildings came complete with manger and straw.
“It is a
privilege to live in a culture that, in so many ways, reflects the one we read
about in the Bible. We are struck afresh by the controversy Jesus’ birth must
have caused.
“Being born in
an animal feeding trough when animals are considered dirty here; having
questions over how the baby was conceived in a culture where the honour and
good name of the family is central to everything; having a first visit from
shepherds who are often poor, dirty and despised by others. These are not ways
people here would chose for the birth of a king.”
Chris and Debbie
are BMS workers in Afghanistan