Thanksgiving Celebration

Yesterday, Sunday, we were invited to a Thanksgiving celebration by our friends. It was at their home. We did not even think they knew about the holiday. I guess they have enough family in the US and so they knew it was a time for thankfulness. Mark shared a message about the first Thanksgiving in the US and how it all came about. They were interested and then I shared about developing an attitude of Thanksgiving in our daily lives. We were then treated to a special meal. It began with spring rolls, our favorite and some fried pork rolls and something that looked vaguely like potato chips but thicker. The second round was beef that they cooked at each table in a pan filled with hot oil, greasy but good served with rice paper and veggies that you wrap up like tiny burritos and dip in sauce. Then came the huge chicken, their replacement for a turkey, neck, head and all. Then they served up a seafood soup with noodles and by the time dessert came, jellied candy looking items, we were stuffed and they just kept eating. We get full just looking at it all but they don't stop until it is all gone. They were even collecting the bones to take home to the pets. I was going to bring a sweet potato casserole dish but I could not find any sweet potatoes at the store. That happens frequently, I have learned that if I see it and want it even if it is not now I had better buy it. I am again looking for paper towels. See my previous article about my hunt for them. After this great meal we were in for a treat, they had some visitors there from different hill tribes and they sang some beautiful songs from their villages. Then some of the young kids did some singing and dancing to some of the more popular worship music. There were also many testimonies of what God has been doing in their lives. One 30 something year old man shared about how he was a gangster. He stole and used drugs and even physically hurt many people. He has now turned his life around and is studying to be a minister. He has a beautiful story and voice and was leading much of the singing. We had arrived around 7:30 AM and we arrived back home around 2:00 PM. A long day but so grateful for all that we are being allowed to experience in this wonderful country. God is moving everywhere and we are seeing the results. Happy Thanksgiving and Jen save me some turkey !!!