A couple of weeks ago I was invited by a refugee friend to a reception celebrating the baptism of her youngest child. The beautiful fall Sunday afternoon brought crystal blue skies and gorgeous autumn leaves on the huge trees sheltering the backyard where we gathered. The reception was hosted by friends at Christ Methodist Church who love and care for this precious refugee family. Their love was evident through the hospitality, good food, happy conversation and prayers. Adults visited and ate while the children rushed through their food to spend time on the trampoline and playset. There was beautiful music provided by African drummers, and several of the girls and women who sang African hymns together. I had opportunities to visit with my friend and most of her sweet children, and to meet many of her other friends.  Under that crystal blue fall sky, Christian brothers and sisters bridged cultures and languages to celebrate God’s gift of a child. Our time together concluded with heartfelt prayers. First one of the men prayed in English asking God’s continued blessing on the child and his family. Then the child’s father prayed in Kurundi, the language of Burundi, thanking God for all His blessings to his family in their new country and for all the friends who love and encourage them and rejoice with them. It was a beautiful experience. So if you are ever invited to a Burundi baptismal celebration, by all means GO! You wouldn’t want to miss it.