The weekend preceding Gumuz Christmas on Jan 7th was the traditional Gumuz holiday called Key Misa. We weren't even aware it existed last year. Externally it sounds like Thanksgiving and is celebrated by all believers. But their animist beliefs come out strongly. The leaders make sacrifices to Misa (God) by pouring keya (fermented millet drink) on the ground and killing a goat and putting it into the bush. They also give clothing and other gifts. They make these sacrifices so that Misa will bless the land next year and give them another harvest. (There may be other aspects to this holiday that we are not aware of but this is what we learned this year.)
We questioned the believers about this holiday and asked them if and how they celebrated it. Interestingly, it seems the Christians have caught on quickly to the aspects of the holiday that are wrong and the aspects that are good.
They said, "It is a time when we thank God for our harvest. We don't waste our food or drink though because we know that God does not need these things." They said that the dogs just go and eat the goat in the bush, not God. Families may kill a goat or a chicken to celebrate and then eat the meat. Some of the believers use this day to tell others about who God really is. It is also a time of much visiting. It was good to visit and share what the Lord truly desires: our whole heart!
Pray for the believers: that they would be wise and discerning, that they would take hold of opportunities to share who God really is and about His son Jesus and that they would exude joy (among their people who fear much).
We questioned the believers about this holiday and asked them if and how they celebrated it. Interestingly, it seems the Christians have caught on quickly to the aspects of the holiday that are wrong and the aspects that are good.
They said, "It is a time when we thank God for our harvest. We don't waste our food or drink though because we know that God does not need these things." They said that the dogs just go and eat the goat in the bush, not God. Families may kill a goat or a chicken to celebrate and then eat the meat. Some of the believers use this day to tell others about who God really is. It is also a time of much visiting. It was good to visit and share what the Lord truly desires: our whole heart!
Pray for the believers: that they would be wise and discerning, that they would take hold of opportunities to share who God really is and about His son Jesus and that they would exude joy (among their people who fear much).
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