It’s Thursday November 27, Thanksgiving Day in North America. About 393 years ago in December, the first Thanksgiving celebration took place at Plymouth Rock. It was a three day feast amongst the Pilgrims of Plymouth and the native Wampanoag Indians. These two groups came from polar opposite sides of the world. Yet, they helped one another succeed and became close friends in the process. Today we still celebrate this holiday. However, I believe many of us have forgotten the story of Thanksgiving. It was a defining moment in American history. The Pilgrims went through hell their first year. Yet, they were strong and never lost faith. After a brutal winter, God blessed them abundantly and showed them favor. Within a few months a land of death and disease turned into a land of life and prosperity. Therefore, today let us celebrate what God has done. Thanksgiving is not about us at all, nor is any otherbday. We live for Him and we celebrate Him regardless of how difficult our circumstances appear. God is faithful and He takes care of His people.
Today however, I’m in Hyderabad, India. Around 8000 miles away from home. People in India don’t celebrate Thanksgiving. When I woke up this morning I didn’t smell turkey and pumpkin pie cooking. I smelt trash burning and human waste, as I looked out my bedroom window. Only a fence separated me from miles and miles of poverty, pain and suffering. It’s a harsh sight to witness… But a wake-up call to reality. Everyday the people in my backyard are fighting to survive another day. Hungry children roam the streets, sitting near street stores in hopes that someone might buy them bread. However, every night the music starts at CWC, the very same children swarm through our gates and join us in worship!
Here at CWC the brothers are so committed to God and the neighborhoods of Hyderabad. These men are some of the most devoted men you’ll ever meet. They take worshipping God and loving your neighbor as yourself to a whole new extreme. It’s beyond encouraging to witness their passion for Christ And their passion for one another.
This month has had it’s challenges, and our living situation has been rough. However, I’m so thankful for my Indian brothers and I’m glad I was able to celebrate, feast and give thanks to God with them this day. Most of them didn’t know a thing about our Holiday today. Therefore, I explained the history of the Thanksgiving to many of them and they listened with an eagerness to learn about more about America. They have shown me and my team so much love this month, I will miss them dearly!
Although, I would have loved to be with my family, eating real american food today and watching football… These guys did their best to make me feel loved and at home. They even cooked us Thanksgiving dinner! Well it was EXTREMELY SPICY Indian food.. But they did their best!
Happy Thanksgiving from India!
Psalm 100
“Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth! Serve the Lord with gladness! Come into his presence with singing! Know that the Lord, he is God! It is he who made us, and we are his; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture. Enter his gates with thanksgiving, and his courts with praise! Give thanks to him; bless his name! For the Lord is good; his steadfast love endures forever, and his faithfulness to all generations.”
