A Full House: Christmas Mini Fair in South Africa
For several years, our community in South Africa has hosted a small Christmas concert. This year, they decided to try combining the concert with food and craft booths. They were encouraged by the feedback when they presented the idea to regular customers and on social media. But on the morning of th
“It was overwhelming!” This was Brother Dylan Kraijenoord’s description of Heritage South Africa’s first Christmas mini fair.
For several years, our community in South Africa has hosted a small Christmas concert. This year, they decided to try combining the concert with food and craft booths. They were encouraged by the feedback when they presented the idea to regular customers and on social media. But on the morning of the event, they realized they had dreamed too small.
As the photos show, it’s summer in the Southern Hemisphere. A line of cars formed even before the official opening time of the event. The small community has never had a need for parking attendants, but our young people saw the cars and spontaneously stepped in to direct parking. For the first time, their lot was full!
More than once, customers had to wait at food booths as brothers and sisters ran up the hill to procure more supplies, such as ice cream cones, pizza bases and pancake mix.
Several members of the small South Africa community are visiting in Texas this season, so there were even less people than usual to staff the fair. The singers and band members stayed so busy serving food and demonstrating crafts that they had trouble pulling themselves away for the concert. But when the music began, the visitors connected with the songs as the community shared the joyful message of Jesus’ birth.
One young man shared that he was amazed by the unity he felt from seeing our people and the crafts. He recognized that unity is the fruit of following God’s patterns, so he asked a lot of questions about community. He was one of many visitors whose hearts were stirred.
At the end of the evening, a couple commented, “This was amazing! I’m so sorry it’s over.” Many people stayed from the beginning of the event until the end. Because there was such joyful response, the community plans to host another Christmas fair before the end of the holidays.
Please pray for God’s wisdom and anointing on our brothers and sisters in South Africa as they continue to connect with hungry and honest hearts.
