Since our arrival here in rural Albania, we have been intrigued by a common and pervasive scene: turkey shepherds watching their flocks by day and ostensibly penning them up by night. While spending a few of the holidays and nights in Tirana, we witnessed the climax of the turkey drama. Shackled together or hobbled in some similar fashion, huge numbers of turkeys brought the streets and sidewalks of the big city alive with feathered islands and their shepherds now turned merchants (a scene repeated in most settlements throughout the country). Having cared for their feathered friends for several months now, just days prior to the new year, the local merchants spend the hours from early sun-up to after sunset hawking (no pun here) their big birds. Life is now short for thousands of innocent turkeys as they are soon to have their heads severed so the lady of the house can prepare the year's most highly celebrated meal.
Fortunately for us, Pastor Landi and Juli invited us to their home, where we shared the much anticipated Albanian New Year's feast. What a delectable experience for us, as we were treated to beautiful side dishes in addition to hormone-free turkey meat. Our pictures show the effort and beauty of the festive meal, but only our taste buds and stretched stomachs can attest to the delightful experience.
Sadly, however, while the locals spend weeks, even months, preparing the the New Year's bash, the blessings of Christmas barely get noticed. The festivities, including turkey feasts, flashing lights, fireworks and even some decorated evergreen trees, all culminate in the celebration of the new year, to the exclusion of Jesus' birth. Pray with us that this trend will be reversed as more and more people accept the reality of the Christ Child.
May God richly bless you with His love in this new year!
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