That Time of Year Again, Bukra Eid

It's that time of year again, Bukra Eid.  

I always enjoy the weeks leading up to this holiday. Most streets I travel on in the city have little herds of bukra (goat) prancing around with their shepherds. (These bukra, in the photos, were walking right down from my house.) 

Often times you see them grazing in the little patches of grass to get them nice fat and healthy to sale. They're ripe for the pickin once Bukra Eid comes around.

Some sights were 'crazy' when I first arrived, such as these herds, but now they're just normal cause it's home. One sight that still makes Neal and I laugh, although it's no longer 'odd' is seeing a man holding a bukra on a rickshaw or motorcycle and driving it home. There's no way I'd pick up a live goat and carry it in my arms on the back of a motorcycle...but that's what they do. They're taking it to join their family...for a short while. 

The bukra then lives with the family, literally lives with them inside their house. The kids, and even grown men will take their bukra out on the leash for a walk. They nurture and love it just like we would a dog back in America. But then the day of Bukra Eid comes...

As I sat on my porch this morning of Bukra Eid reading the story of Abraham and the promise God made with him, "...through you all nations will be blessed." Then I read where he was told to take his son Isaac on the mountain to sacrifice him, and how God provided another sacrifice...such a beautiful foreshadowing story of Christ! I knew this story was the very reason for Bukra Eid. This was the reason all the bukras were sold. This was the reason I could hear in the distance the moaning of some bukra. It's all to remember. Remember God providing so that Abraham didn't have to give his own son. 

Listening to the sounds of the sweet little bukra, that even I have come to love, made my heart so sad. It saddened me to know that the animal those kids across the street had walked just the day before was going to be slaughtered today. But then I thought how precious the words of the promise of God though, "...through you all nations will be blessed." The innocent bukra being led to the slaughter...but then my mind turns to Jesus Christ who himself was as a lamb led to the slaughter. To know that God provided another sacrifice for Abraham, but not for Himself...WOW. Speechlessness. It's through that sacrifice, the sacrifice of God's personal son, Jesus, that all nations, including the nation of India, is and will be blessed. Oh yes Lord, I ask you to bring the blessing of Jesus here!

I'm thankful for these holidays. I'm thankful for times to remember the precious gift we've been given through Christ. I'm thankful for salvation, and to know that salvation will be brought to India...it's been promised!

Friends Meeting Elise

All of our friends loved getting to meet Elise. They were thrilled when we returned to find out we had a baby girl. It's illegal here in India to find out the sex of the baby, although so many do without any problems. But, for that reason no one knew we were having a girl until we returned. They all say, "Your family is now complete - one boy and one girl." Only the Lord knows His plan for our family being complete or not :)

The night we arrived our gatekeepers two youngest daughters (far left and middle) and their cousin came straight to our home in order to hold baby Elise. They visit often.

Our cleaner...she's always been so kind to Elijah, and now baby Elise. I love the fact that she truly loves my children. She was as well thrilled that we had a "buchi" (baby girl).

Our gatekeepers wife didn't hold Elise the night we returned (this picture was taken a few days later) because she was busy helping me clean our house before the sunset so that we'd still have light. I was so thankful for her help because without her and her youngest daughter it would have taken me most of the night. She even did extra that I didn't plan to do just to bless us. Thank you God!

 

We went to visit the family we used to live with as well as celebrate their daughters birthday. The mom couldn't wait to hold her. Basically as soon as I walked in and sat down on the bed and came right over to take her from me.

 Her youngest of five was born in November of last year, so the two babies are pretty close in age. Of course my friends little girl was loving having a smaller baby around. She wanted to touch her and get really close to her face all night.

 Two of Neal's good friends came over for dinner. One of them had already met Elise, so he was telling the other all about her and her name, etc.

Later that night Elise started to cry a little and one of the guys looked at Neal and I and said, "Quick, give her the nipple." It was a little awkward. Neal and I just looked at each other not really knowing what to say to these two young single Indian guys...cause I wasn't about to do what I thought he was suggesting in front of them:) Then we realized he was talking about her passy and just didn't know the name for it. This still makes Neal and I laugh!

Our gatekeepers youngest daughter is in our home basically everyday. She's either playing with Elijah's toys, reading books, playing hide and seek with Elijah, eating pizza with us and watching a movie, or holding Elise. She obviously enjoys being with our family and we're thankful for her.