By Sita Burgess, Singapore
There is a common saying that the eyes are the windows to one's soul. As I looked into those deep set eyes I saw pain beyond their years. I saw hands that have toiled tirelessly for their family's sustenance. Despite life's tragedies, they remain steadfast in their faith with a heart filled with love. A truly beautiful people in and out.
Blood, bombs and fear. They have lived through genocides, unspeakable atrocities and grief we cannot even begin to fathom. Despite their arduous life and what seems to me an unfair predicament, they view it as a platform to propel them into life's destiny.
They started out feeling rejected but over the months they found hope because people like you and me cared. "Thank you, I love you" are words that flowed easily from their hearts.
Who are these beautiful people? They are the Nuba refugees of Sudan who have captivated and left an indelible mark in our hearts.
Our multinational ministry team of 10 had the privilege to meet and honour them with a nativity play. A play that revealed the true meaning of Christmas; hope for a broken world and healing through love.
After the play, Erika Nissa shared her testimony of love, hope and restoration of her broken life. Then we sang songs together and love became our common language. We sang joyfully in Moro, Arabic and English as a sense of peace and love fell over us much like a warm blanket.
What is a blanket to us? A blanket is something we can buy at our own convenience to keep warm but a blanket is so much more to the refugees of North Africa. A blanket means hope of survival during the cold winter, warmth for their children and some sense of security after a tragedy. We are so grateful to have been able to provide them with blankets.
We are humbled by their grateful hearts and hope that we not only provided these beautiful people a blanket to meet a basic need but also a blanket of love that they can always find comfort in.