“Do call me Magda,” she said, able to smile again after the embarrassment of having forgotten the woman at the train station.
“Magda, I think I’m going to enjoy my time in Le Chambon-sur-Lignon very much.”
“I’m sure you will. Let me show you the church. But first, let’s take your luggage to the house.”
Magda had been waiting for months for help. It had not been easy for her to get used to the village. She was only part Protestant. She had been raised Catholic in Italy, and part of her family had fled from Russia. It took her a long time to realize that her inability to totally fit in with Protestants was precisely what helped her get along so well with André and his way of understanding the world.
Magda led Alice to the room they had prepared for her next to the kitchen. Despite how small and narrow it was, Alice was delighted. Magda had never met anyone so positive and from whom flowed such natural goodness. When André had told her the denomination was sending them an aide, Magda had initially rejected the offer. She knew she was at the end of her strength, but she did not want some goody-goody making her feel that she was not good enough.
“They’ve told me you have four children,” Alice said, unpacking her few things from the suitcases.
“Yes, three boys and a girl. They don’t slow down one second the whole day. We always have two or three other children hanging about the house, in addition to meals with André’s friends, visitors, visiting preachers, and everybody else who makes their way through town. Sometimes I think we run a hostel more than a church!” Magda said, immediately taking Alice into her confidence.
Alice nodded. “I work at a camp during the summers, and I’m used to cooking and cleaning the rooms. By the time I finish one and move to the next, the first one is dirty again. Homemaking is thankless work.”
Magda had come across all kinds of women since her arrival in Le Chambon-sur-Lignon. Church women criticized her for not being a typical pastor’s wife. Unlike them, Magda refused to cover her head in meetings or become the slave of her family and husband. Women had so much to give to the new society.
The two women returned to the chapel. The children were running to and fro while some of the church women put the finishing touches on the wall decorations. It seemed a more joyful ambience than a few minutes prior. No one seemed to be thinking about the war and its ensuing problems.
Alice helped Magda with the chorus, and after several run-throughs, the parishioners started heading home. The festivities would take place the next day.
“Anna, Jacob, Moses!” Magda called loudly. The children ran up to her. “I’d like you to stay for supper with us. The celebrations will start tomorrow, but it seems my children can’t survive without you three.” Feeding three extra children was more work, but she had to admit even to herself that she had grown fond of this bunch.
Jacob, Moses, and Anna jumped with excitement, then ran off to join the Trocmé children. When they were all together, Jacob, Moses, and Anna felt like they were part of a family again and could momentarily forget how far they were from their parents.
“See what I mean now?” Magda asked Alice with a wry smile.
Trocmé arrived home half an hour later, famished. He was surprised to find Alice there. He had forgotten it was the day of her scheduled arrival.
“André, you forgot to go pick Alice Reynier up from the station today,” Magda reproached.
“Oh, I’m so sorry. It completely slipped my mind. I had several meetings, and Magda’s reminder went in one ear and out the other. Please forgive me, Ms. Reynier. I want you to know we’re very glad to have you.”
“Please, call me Alice,” she said with her customary smile.
“I think you’re going to be an enormous help, Alice,” Magda said. Trocmé arched his brows in surprise at the change of attitude. Magda had vehemently resisted having a helper, but he was familiar with his wife’s temperamental disposition.
It was a happy supper, everyone excited about the next day’s festivities. Nothing could keep them from celebrating Christmas.
All the next day, the parsonage and church were a beehive of activity. Women were fixing costumes, children were running wild, and by midafternoon the parishioners had arrived in small groups to save the best seats and