Thanksgiving in Mexico? No, unfortunately, it is not a Mexican holiday. However, our Mexican church in Tlaxcala does indeed set apart a day of thanks to the Lord in November- the "celebration of the first-fruits".
"First-fruits" refers to the Old Testament command to set aside the "first" products, or "fruits", of the harvest to give as an offering of thanks to the Lord for his provision. None in our congregation is a farmer, and therefore, does not have a literal harvest to reap. However, each does have an income! We were encouraged to use the money the Lord had provided to "harvest" an offering of groceries to give to the Lord (imagine you are harvesting cobs of corn as you reach for cans on grocery store shelves :) ).
The celebration was indeed moving- many had tears in our eyes as we shared individual testimonies of thanks for the Lord's goodness this year, and passed forward as a family unit to give our offering. It was with great joy that much of Paco's family joined us for the event!
Afterwards we shared a "thanksgiving" potluck dinner together- I prepared the U.S. traditional thanksgiving pumpkin and apple pies to feel more at home :). Such blessed fellowship!
The offerings of groceries collected at the celebration were given to families in great need around our church. I witnessed one lady, Lupita, receive her groceries from the congregation with tears in her eyes and recognition that her God loved her and had seen her need! So exciting to be a part of God's call to others!
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