Diwali: festival of [fire]crackers

Tonight, I'm told the crackers won't end until 2am or so because the neighbors are celebrating Diwali. 

The neighbor across the way has ornately decorated their doorway and left the door open welcoming the ones they worship into their home and hearts. It is really creepy in the hallway since we are on the 6th floor and the fireworks smoke is filling the corridor along with the smell of burning oil lamps and incense. This ambience adds to the horror of what is happening: dem0n worship (which is the veneration of idols). I got to see some of this going on in the flat across from us since their door was open. It looked like everyone was dressed in white and had their heads covered. They were lighting incense and chanting something. It was creepy and so Emma and I retreated to go back home.

Emma and I went to visit our neighbors, who all have their doors open, and gave them sweets. Emma really likes fireworks, so we went to the roof to see them better and sang How Great is Our God:

He wraps Himself in light

And darkness tries to hide

And trembles at His voice...

I am so thankful that we don't have anything to be afraid of in the darkness that surrounds us here, because He is Great and stronger than what our neighbors fear. May they one day recognize Him for who He is and may that be before the last day.