As an
Australian, I didn't grow up celebrating Thanksgiving as a holiday. After
experiencing it with 27 American friends, here in Karamoja though, I am a fan
of it! Historically, I am told, the day came about when the Pilgrims (those who
fled England because they were being persecuted for their faith) came to
America for the first time (If you want to know the year, google it). Many of
them did not survive their first year, but the Indians/Native Americans taught
them how to cultivate the land for corn, pumpkin and other crops. Those who
survived, celebrated by having a meal together with the Native Americans.
Thanksgiving was born as they shared all the things they were thankful to God
for.
Today, of
course ,the old tradition means different things to different people but I love
the idea of a day dedicated to praising God for all He does. Plus there is
great food involved!
Summer and
I had bought a pig for the festivities which was quite an ordeal. We put him
(Boris) in the back of our 4wd and travelled the 45 minutes home. When we got
back we were preparing his 'sleeping quarters' and he jumped out the window of
the truck, and galloped through the thorn fence to our neighbours. As he was
escaping one of our cats Mojo, who may have been feeling a bit threatened by
this new member, leapt on his back screeching with her claws dug into him. He
was squealing, she was growling, needless to say it was truly horrid. We ran
over to our neighbours, caught Borisand brought him back, realising that out
here, something that we'd tried to keep a bit on the “down-low” (that we had a
pig) could never have been kept a secret. Small towns hey...
So we had
spent all week debating how to 'do away with him' for the party. We finally
decided to fob the responsibility off in the name of animal rights and opted
for a bullet in the head. Quick, easy and finished, we thought. Well, all we
had to do then, was find a gun. Early Saturday morning Summer and I walked over to the army barracks to sweet talk our way into getting someone to help us. What we got in reply to "We were wondering if you could please come and shoot our pig for us?" was laughter and a "No". There was a 'but' however, which was that they sent with us 3 men who, we were assured, were "expert pig killers", don't ask me how someone gets that title, but there you go.
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| Jennifer and me preparing Boris |
I am
thankful for the year I have had here in Karamoja, for the friends I've made
and the lessons God has taught me. How great is it that God can bring people
from all corners of the world together for his work, redeeming the world back
to Himself. I am thankful, so thankful, for John 3:16 "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son,
that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life."
I am thankful that God looked at the world,
his creation that rejected him, and was not content to leave us dead in our
sins, estranged from him. I am thankful for the gift of life through the death
and resurrection of His son, Jesus Christ.A holiday
of being grateful :)
"Go and enjoy choice food and sweet drinks, and send some to those who have nothing prepared. This day is holy to our Lord. Do not grieve, for the joy of the Lord is your strength." Nehemiah 8:10
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| Some of our visitors for Thanksgiving |
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