In the last journal, you watched a video about the Uzbeks (OOZ-behks), an unreached Muslim people group in Central Asia (if you missed the video, find it here). With your family, learn about a traditional food eaten daily by most Uzbek families–non (nahn)!
Cultural Activity:
Bread, or non (nahn), is sacred to Uzbek people. It is a vital part of many family traditions and is served to guests as a sign of hospitality. Most Uzbek families eat bread at every meal. Even if bread gets moldy or dirty, they never throw it away, but feed it to animals or birds instead.
Women bake bread in rounded clay ovens called tandoors (TAHN-doorz). Reaching carefully into the opening at the top of the oven, women slap the dough onto the hot oven walls. When the bread is golden brown, women remove the loaves using long-handled baskets or spoons. Uzbek bread is round and flat with raised edges, like a deep-dish pizza. To enjoy non like Uzbek families, you will need:
-a round, flat loaf of bread
-tablecloth or blanket
-honey, jam, cream cheese, or yogurt
Directions:
- Spread a decorative tablecloth or blanket on the floor and sit around it.
- Tear off pieces of the bread and pass to each person.
- Dip your bread in honey, jam, cream cheese, or yogurt.
- Share the information about non with your family as you eat together.
Afterwards, read Matthew 13:33 and ask family members to raise their hand when they hear the word “yeast.” Explain that God changes people’s hearts just as yeast changes dough – from the inside out. Pray that Uzbek families will realize that they cannot change their hearts by their good actions. Pray that they will come to know Jesus as Savior, the one who came to forgive their sins and make their hearts clean.
