Tabaski Time!

Did you know that yesterday was New Year's Day in Ivory Coast? The Muslim holy day called ''Tabaski'' has come once again. Though it goes by other names in other Muslim countries , Tabaski marks the end of the hajj, or annual pilgrimage to Mecca. It's a commemoratioin of Abraham's sacrifice of--according to them--his son Ishmael.

Tabaski begins with a huge common prayer service at 9am. All the mosques are filled to capacity and even overflow into the courtyard, street, alleys, and parking lots. I typically go watch the mass prayer service up town. I take pictures for friends and then give them as souvenirs later (roaming photographers charge $1 per pose). I'm also there to pray with them and for them. This year, as you can see in the accompanying ''aeriel'' photo, I was able to take video and pictures from the roof of a new apartment building.

Let me tell you how impressive it is to watch several thousand people simultaneously put their faith in everything BUT Jesus Christ. They pray for God's forgiveness of old sins as they begin the new year. But they don't know that the blood of Jesus was spilt in order to wash us white as snow. They humbly repeat praises to Allah and prostrate themselves through submission and ritual. But they don't realize that by believing in the Lord Jesus Christ they can be saved, they and their entire household.

Juli and I went visiting in the afternoon as is customary. We drop in on our Muslim friends, bringing them cake and soda to top off the huge feast of roasted ram long since gobbled up by the extended family. Muslim blessings are exchanged, the bonds of friendship reinforced. And we pray that these good people one day know the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.

One sixth of mankind (the world's 1.3 billion Muslims) celebrated Tabaski yesterday. That means it is time once again for us to be on our knees in prayer for them. Thank you for doing so.
Thank you for caring.