Yesterday, Piyato, ex-wife killer, warrior, hunter and now believer in the Creator I AM, sat down to divide out the spoils from his two week hunting trip. He and 4 other men squatted and unwrapped bundles of smoked wild pig and possum. .
Piyato pulled out the smoked head of a possum, held it up for all to see and started praying, thanking the Creator God for supplying the food. He thanked God for giving him a successful hunt, for allowing them to have enough to go around for everyone.
The missionary standing next to me translated Piyato’s prayer of thanksgiving. My heart was turned to tears. So simple, so eloquent, so thankful.
Later a couple of women laid out big leaves, then layers of ferns, then greens gathered from their gardens that morning and lastly, the sliced Tarro roots. Before tying it all up in a bundle to steam with hot rocks they expressed how thankful they were that the Creator had thought of them and supplied them with all the varieties of food. Again, an expression of thankfulness for what they were about to partake.
I have been so blessed to spend this Thanksgiving season with Moi and learn a few things about thankfulness from them.
I learned a huge lesson this week. These humble tribal people who only recently got a chance to hear about the sacrifice of Jesus – have many reasons to be thankful. In the past, the word “Thanks” was not part of their vocabulary. Now it is used throughout the day as they stop and give an impromptu ‘ thank you’ to the Creator for life, for food and family.
Thankful in MOI land, Macon
HAPPY THANKSGIVING TO EACH OF YOU.