Thanksgiving was last week and I do have to say it was one of my best Thanksgivings abroad. I was blessed to have the opportunity to attend 4 (that's right, FOUR!!) Thanksgiving meals! We basically turned it into a weekend of Thanksgiving :).
On Thursday, the young adults met at our apartment and we had a potluck dinner. It is really awesome to see people from all different nations come together to celebrate an American holiday. We had a ton of food and some great company! We also shared about what we thank God for. We should thank God daily for all we do.
Our young adults feast :)
On Friday, we were invited to our pastor's house for a Thanksgiving dinner. My roommate and I brought a salad and bread to their apartment after school was over. It was so great to share in a meal with our pastor's family, our friend Kelsey, and a couple from church. The dinner was amazing, such delicious food! After dinner we played some card games. It was a great time of laughter and fun! So thankful for the friends God has given me here!
Our pilgrim hats.
On Saturday, my friend Hương invited us to a Thanksgiving dinner with a club she helped start for locals and foreigners to become friends and help each other. At the event we had a brief history of American Thanksgiving. Then we enjoyed a meal together. This meal included pizza and local food, someone also made mashed potatoes! Then while we were eating we did some discussion questions or at least tried but we weren't a very talkative group. After talking we separated into two teams to play a game of charades but with a twist. For this game of charades it was played like the game telephone but instead of words you used actions. It was so fun to watch the other team's actions change as each person performed for the next. By the time it got to the person who was guessing the action rarely looked the same as the beginning. It was hilarious! I laughed so hard I cried.
Playing telephone charades.
On Sunday, we had a small Thanksgiving meal at our house with our team. Everyone brought something to share. I made the turkey, in a toaster oven, for the first time. I was so nervous but at the end of the evening there was none left. Must have been good. :). My roommate made mashed potatoes and O made broccoli cheese casserole. Our team leader's wife made stuffing and pumpkin pie and our friends made cranberry cake, tiramisu, and apple pie. We had ourselves a feast with great company. It made a perfect ending to our Thanksgiving weekend.
Our Sunday feast! It was all delicious! The top is the main course and the bottom are the desserts.
I am so thankful for the opportunity to serve here. I am thankful for the friends God has given me here that help to make transitioning here easier! I am thankful for the love of God on and in my life!