How Did Squanto Know English?

As Jimmy and I were reading through our favorite Thanksgiving book, he asked how Squanto knew English. I had no clue. He clearly thinks through things at a deeper level than I do. So I looked online and Justin Taylor (a blog I highly recommend) did know! He recommended a biography of Squanto written by Eric Metaxas.

Did you know that Squanto was sold into slavery to a Spanish Monk? Or that Squanto was a professing Christian (I never heard that in school)? Or how it took 10 years, but God used an Englishman to help Squanto come back (hence his knowledge of the English language) to his homeland only to find that his entire tribe had died? His story is such an incredible example of how God is always present in our lives and there is such good, even in hardship and trials, as HE draws us to Himself and uses us to impact others to His glory. Squanto genuinely loved and cared for the pilgrims and we’re so thankful to know more about him!

Our Thanksgiving books:

 1) The Story of Thanksgiving,  Nancy Skarmeas

-This is the book we read every year. Someone gave us years ago and Jimmy has it memorized. I love that he now knows terms and places we’ll use later in depth (ex.- England, Massachusetts, Pilgrims, the Mayflower, etc.)

2) Squanto and The Miracle of Thanksgiving, Eric Metaxas

-This is our new book. Here’s the product description from Amazon:

“This entertaining and historical story shows that the actual hero of the Thanksgiving was neither white nor Indian, but God. In 1608, English traders came to Massachusetts and captured a 12-year old Indian, Squanto, and sold him into slavery. He was raised by Christians and taught faith in God. Ten years later he was sent home to America. Upon arrival, he learned an epidemic had wiped out his entire village. But God had plans for Squanto. God delivered a Thanksgiving miracle: an English-speaking Indian living in the exact place where the Pilgrims land in a strange new world.”