Talkin' Turkey

I'm talkin' turkey today.

Specifically, Peruvian turkey.

It's traditional in many countries around the world to eat turkey at Christmastime - plus Americans have already pounded down a lot of the bird on Thanksgiving - and this is a tradition that can be used to boost your ministry around the world.

Peruvian turkey is delicious. It is prepared with a special Peruvian seasoning that features, among other items, chili pepper powder, garlic, and vinegar. This secret seasoning varies from family to family, and from chef to chef, and the specific mix and combination of spices can be as closely guarded a secret as Col. Sanders' famous mix of 11 herbs and spices at KFC. The spicy mix is either rubbed onto the turkey or stabbed into it - yes, stabbed right into the turkey! - before cooking. The spices seep into the roasted bird and fill it with a fantastic, flavorful kick. Peruvian turkey is indeed a treat.

So what does all of this bird talk have to do with international ministry? Well, if turkey is consumed at Christmastime wherever in the world that you are doing ministry, then use this opportunity to embrace local turkey cooking traditions. Sponsor a turkey dinner, using local recipes, for families and individuals in need. Buy frozen turkeys at the local supermarket and distribute them to those in need. Purchase gift certificates for free turkeys and hand them out to those in need, or as a reward to deserving ministry workers. You may even be able to pick out live turkeys at a turkey farm as well. In Lima, we've seen pens of live turkeys on city street corners at Christmastime. People come along, pick out a turkey, pay for it, and ... well, you know the rest.

Christmas presents a fantastic opportunity for you to embrace local culture and food traditions, including turkey, wherever you are doing ministry. Use the Christmas season as a time to get closer to the local traditions wherever you are doing ministry. You'll be blessing others and boosting your ministry at the same time.