One Big Happy Family

Hello! What a great time I’ve had lately enjoying the Father’s goodness and seeing Him work. This weekend was a special time for our country. We celebrated one of the most important holidays of the year: Kurban Ait or Eid al Adha.  This particular holiday is very significant because it is to remember Abraham’s obedience and willingness to sacrifice his son and to remember the grace that Father showed him when He provided an animal. It is also a time of forgiveness and reconciling with others.  It is quite possibly the coolest holiday that I have participated in because it a reminder of the Greatest Sacrifice in history.  I believe and have recently read that: “The Son has become the guarantee of a better covenant. Such a high priest meets our need – one who is holy, blameless, pure, set apart from sinners, exalted above the heavens. Unlike the other priests, He does not need to offer sacrifices day after day, first for His own sin, and then for the sins of the people. He sacrificed for their sins once for all when He offered Himself. For the law appoints as high priests men who are weak; but the oath which came after the law, appointed the Son, who has been made perfect forever.” (Heb. 7:22, 26-28)  How cool is it that I get to share this story of redemption and grace with people who already understand the meaning of sacrifice?  

The blood is a significant aspect to focus on also.  The traditional beliefs of this holiday include the sacrifice of a goat – the scapegoat – as it was meant to be representative of all of our sins, which are forgiven with its death. Many families in villages slaughter a goat or lamb during this holiday, but here in the city it is rare to see (or hear!) this done because everyone is in such close proximity. No doubt, people on the outskirts of town may still kill goats in their backyard. My “family” here bought lamb in the supermarket that was already cut and prepared. Traditionally, a portion of the meat is kept for the family and 2/3 of the meat is given to the poor.

Thankfully, we do not need to celebrate this holiday like our cousins because the Son paid the price for our sins and sacrificed Himself for us. He was the scapegoat and because of His blood shed, there is no need to continue sacrificing lambs or goats. “The blood of goats and bulls and the ashes of a heifer sprinkled on those who are ceremonially unclean sanctify them so that they are outwardly clean. How much more, then, will the blood of Ch., who through the HS offered Himself unblemished to Father, cleanse our consciences from acts that lead to death, so that we may serve the living G*d!” (Heb 9:13-14). 

In this country people celebrate by spending time with family and friends.  Also, businesses and schools are closed; with the exception of some small stores in which people can still buy last-minute food items and things.  It is customary to have people in your home for a meal, which could happen at any time of the day really, but we chose to have a dinner celebration.  We invited our friends from the dorms as well as one of our friends’ family members to our supervisor’s house.  As I walked to their house in the morning to help prepare food, the air was filled with joy.  Usually people do not look very happy. They may smile sometimes, but they just do not have real joy.  But on this special day, people were so happy.  It was like Christmas in America!

At our dinner we enjoyed a huge meal of roast lamb, chicken and pepper pasta, salads and lots of fruit.  We drank peola after peola of tea and juice.  Afterwards our supervisor’s family presented a small drama of the story of Abraham sacrificing his son in which the Truth was presented.  Many of our friends had questions and it was the perfect opportunity to talk about the Son and His sacrifice.  We were able to share the entire story with some girls.  There was also a talent show time where girls played the dombra, sang and played the guitar.  It was so cool!

My friend, Mulan*, came to our dinner and was so interested in this story.  She has heard the Truth a few times, but Father has really been softening her heart lately.  Last week she was presented the Truth in her native language.  She had many questions about what her family would think and what she will do when she does not go with them to the big white building.  She was really counting the cost of following Him.  BUT now she has told us she has so much joy after knowing about the Son.  She has made the decision to follow Him. How incredible!! All I can say is glory to Him! Be asking Father for her new faith to be strengthened as she learns more about what it means to be His child.