BGMC Passport to Afghanistan

Hi! It's me, your friend Buddy Barrel. I'm traveling this month to Afghanistan. Get your BGMC Passport ready. There are lots of fun things to learn about Afghanistan, as you will see below.

Did you know that Afghanistan is located in southern Asia, north and west of Pakistan and east of Iran?  The country is slightly smaller than Texas. Check out the map below.

Open and print out the downloads below and place them in your BGMC Passport Binder. If you haven't started one yet, now's a great time-our first trip of 2012!

To review my Buddy Around the World report, click here. And click here to read about and listen to the "Visit from Jesus!" You can't miss this incredible True Missions Story!

Climb aboard and fasten your seatbelt. Let's blast off for Afghanistan!

Left: Map of Afghanistan

Left: National Afghanistan Flag

Absal

Absal rolls off his mat and pulls his clothes on quickly-baggy pants, a long shirt, and a sash around his waist. It's a cold morning in his village near Kabul. Absal joins his five brothers and sisters around a mat on the floor for breakfast. The hot chai (tea) is so good on a day like this! He smiles at his two big sisters, who are just starting school even though they are 10 and 12 years old. A few years ago, girls were not allowed to go to school at all. Today the new government lets girls get an education, and women can even get jobs and go to college.

Time to Eat!

Absal's family eats together in the evening. The food is served in a large dish, and everyone digs in, using the right hand and a piece of nan (a flat bread). Absal loves the pilau (rice with meat and veggies) and meat kebabs. The family usually does not eat lunch, but they snack on fresh fruits, nuts, and sugarcane. When Absal is full, he lets out a big burp. This makes his mother happy, because it means he enjoyed the meal!

A Crowded Home

Absal's large family (his father, mother, six children, and two grandparents) live together in a mud-brick house with several rooms. A high wall around the yard keeps intruders out and keeps the animals in. Many days Absal has to miss school to help his father plow and plant the fields. His brothers help tend the sheep and goats, and the girls help with cooking and housework. During harvest time, everyone works in the fields.

Holiday

In January, Muslims in Afghanistan celebrate the Feast of the Sacrifice, which they call Eid Al Adha. This is when they remember Abraham's willingness to sacrifice his son to God. Muslims believe it was Ishmael, not Isaac, whom Abraham placed on the altar. On this day, the people sacrifice a lamb and give the meat to the poor.

[Open the Winnie Newsletter below to read the entire story.]