This year we were given an incredible gift.
Three weeks ago, we received a telephone call that the forests in which houses, that were built over 30 years ago by Pedro and his friends, were ablaze. Firefighters were, at great risk to themselves, trying to control what was truly a dangerous situation. We were told that no one would be allowed anywhere near the disaster.
Pedro and a friend went there anyway, and managed to gain access. The fires were still raging, the blackened earth and trees paying witness to the damage that had already been inflicted. They both expected the worst. As it happened, the firefighters knew nothing of Pedro’s house, and had been fighting to save the others, unfortunately without any success – they were all burnt to the ground.
With hearts in their boots, and spirits laden with doom, they climbed the hill that lead to Pedro’s house among the rocks. Everything was smouldering, and the smoke made the climb even more arduous.
Upon reaching the top, they were greeted by the miracle of all miracles… Despite the fact that the fire left scorch marks on the walls and the roof, the house still stood. Even when they went inside, the place had managed to remain in pristine condition, untouched by the inferno.
When the firefighters came to have a look, they could give no explanation for what had come to pass and indeed described it as “impossible”.
Seeing is truly believing! What gift could be better? We still reel with what, for us, was a miracle.
