Twas the night before Christmas in Gesses this year,
the stars were all out and the sky was real clear.
We couldn’t have a shower our water was low,
just a quick sponge bath of places that show.
Nicole put out the diapers and hung them up tight,
we rarely get cows visiting at night.
The children were sweating, curled up in their beds,
visions of ice cubes danced in their heads.
The lights went out at quarter to nine,
our batteries were finished like most of the time.
We just settled in for a long hot night,
when the rats on our ceiling began to fight.
I just stared up above then heard more clatter,
it came from outside but what did it matter?
Too many hyenas, scorpions and snakes,
"I’m staying inside for goodness sakes!"
First it was drums and then came the flutes,
wild and loud came the bangs and toots.
The singing grew and feet pounded the earth,
as our neighbors were filled with joy and mirth.
We lay there together as the noise droned on,
it was only nine but soon it was one.
The silence came in the dead of the night,
It wasn’t overwhelming but felt just right.
Then over the mountain came the glorious sun,
morning was upon us, the night was done.
We sat with our coffee this Christmas morn,
watching the sun come like a Savior born.
Our kids soon awoke and we all sat on the floor,
then we realized there was a long line at our door.
Sick people, sick goats, wounds and more,
Who wants on Christmas morning such a big chore?
No time for presents, carols or coco,
days like this can drive us loco.
No time for us what can we do,
then Emily said something innocent yet true.
Remember when sick people came to Jesus,
He said He’d heal them and never leave us.
So here in the heat of our Christmas morn,
our daughter reminded us why He was born.
To be inconvenienced and pulled from all places,
to look with love on those needy faces.
It may not be perfect or what we desire,
but Christmas in Gesses has lit a strong fire.
To give to those who can’t even ask,
is more for us than an overwhelming task.
It is the way He has called us each to live,
and for this end His Son He did give.
So together we stand to fight the good fight,
Merry Christmas to all and to all a flute filled night.
the stars were all out and the sky was real clear.
We couldn’t have a shower our water was low,
just a quick sponge bath of places that show.
Nicole put out the diapers and hung them up tight,
we rarely get cows visiting at night.
The children were sweating, curled up in their beds,
visions of ice cubes danced in their heads.
The lights went out at quarter to nine,
our batteries were finished like most of the time.
We just settled in for a long hot night,
when the rats on our ceiling began to fight.
I just stared up above then heard more clatter,
it came from outside but what did it matter?
Too many hyenas, scorpions and snakes,
"I’m staying inside for goodness sakes!"
First it was drums and then came the flutes,
wild and loud came the bangs and toots.
The singing grew and feet pounded the earth,
as our neighbors were filled with joy and mirth.
We lay there together as the noise droned on,
it was only nine but soon it was one.
The silence came in the dead of the night,
It wasn’t overwhelming but felt just right.
Then over the mountain came the glorious sun,
morning was upon us, the night was done.
We sat with our coffee this Christmas morn,
watching the sun come like a Savior born.
Our kids soon awoke and we all sat on the floor,
then we realized there was a long line at our door.
Sick people, sick goats, wounds and more,
Who wants on Christmas morning such a big chore?
No time for presents, carols or coco,
days like this can drive us loco.
No time for us what can we do,
then Emily said something innocent yet true.
Remember when sick people came to Jesus,He said He’d heal them and never leave us.
So here in the heat of our Christmas morn,
our daughter reminded us why He was born.
To be inconvenienced and pulled from all places,
to look with love on those needy faces.
It may not be perfect or what we desire,
but Christmas in Gesses has lit a strong fire.
To give to those who can’t even ask,
is more for us than an overwhelming task.
It is the way He has called us each to live,
and for this end His Son He did give.
So together we stand to fight the good fight,
Merry Christmas to all and to all a flute filled night.
For more about their ministry here's the Schwenks' website: http://www.cvmusa.org/livinghope
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