Christmas in Bondeau

The small church was full. People sat on benches outside at 8:00PM on Christmas Eve.  Singing was heard all around Bondeau as Ste. Marie Madeleine celebrated another Christmas.  The kids from Kay Timoun were seated in the very front, eager to watch a movie of the birth of Jesus.  I arrived later, at 11:00PM for the Eucharist service.  The church had been decorated with white and red paper chains. Off to the side by the wall was a tree branch decorated with balloons, red paper chains, and twinkle lights.  The music director had rehearsed the choir. They made beautiful music throughout the mass, full voices singing in four part harmony, no piano or organ accompanying them.  The simplicity of this church, yet packed full of worshippers, the efforts of poor peasants to decorate for this special holy day, the people who had walked miles in the dark on dirt mountain trails to worship, shows the strong faith that keeps the community of Bondeau together and surviving.