Most Americans know at least a bit of the history behind our national holiday of Thanksgiving. Early American settlers in New England—the Pilgrims of Plymouth, Massachusetts—celebrated the blessings of a bountiful harvest, after having suffered through a brutal, severe first winter.
That first winter was so severe in fact, that nearly half of the group (46 of 102), perished. The remaining Pilgrims survived, in large measure, because of help they received from a tribe of Native Americans, the Wampanoag. Upon the welcomed arrival of spring, in a gesture of friendship, the Pilgrims invited their newfound friends, the Indians, to join in the celebration. While historians rightly point out that people throughout the world celebrated the harvest time long before this, as far as our American Thanksgiving tradition is concerned, this was the beginning. Since 1941, the third Thursday in November has been recognized as a national holiday, here in the United States.
One of our feature articles this month seems very well placed, in light of the fact that this is the month we celebrate Thanksgiving. We have the story of local Peace Corps volunteer, Randy Fish, as he serves in the small village of Dawar, Tanzania. As you read about Randy, and as you read his own words, my hope is that you will reflect upon the spirit of that first Thanksgiving in Plymouth, Massachusetts. You will learn from this story that the circle of hardship, blessing and thanksgiving is very much alive in this small, remote corner of Africa.
In many ways, Randy’s story illustrates a timeless and universal condition of the human experience; that in the midst of our most difficult and trying times, we are none the less, blessed. Regardless of status, circumstance or condition, if we will seek to love our fellow man, as God loves us, we will be blessed beyond measure in ways that defy description.
