It always different to celebrate American holidays while living in another country. With family being so far away, the afternoon being so hot, and the unaltered speed of a common week in your foreign surroundings racing by you, sometimes it’s difficult to get into the “mood” of thanksgiving… but, we do our best! Today, a few close American friends are coming to the house for turkey and dressing and all the sides! This year, we even have my mother-in-law visiting! Yesterday we decorated the Christmas tree, and Lori already has Christmas classics playing in the kitchen!
But, the real reason for thanksgiving is to be thankful! I have so much for which to be thankful. I’m thankful for God’s love and mercy in my life. I’m thankful for my incredible wife and fabulous kids. I’m thankful for the privilege to be a missionary (and I do think it’s a huge privilege!). I’m so thankful for so many great friends around the world that God has allowed me to know. God’s been GREAT to me.
3 responses so far ↓
1 Thanksgiving in North Africa | Project North Africa // Nov 27, 2009 at 6:39 am
[...] keep their traditional American holidays like Thanksgiving alive for their families. You can read here about the Holt’s in Chile and here about the Snode’s in Northern Ireland and here about the Shumaker’s in Burkina [...]
2 Graceann K. Deters // Dec 3, 2009 at 4:00 pm
Your article brought back memories of my life as a missionaries’daughter in Brazil. I have written a book about my experiences called “Divine Betrayal.” but I did not mention the celebration of american holidays. Mother always prepared a special chicken dinner on this Thursday, with bread stuffing and all the trimmings. But what I remember the most is going around the table and sharing what we were the most thankful for during this time. Them my Dad would stand up and in an very dramatic way, thank God for all of His many blessings.
3 Graceann K. Deters // Dec 3, 2009 at 4:01 pm
Your article brought back memories of my life as a missionaries’daughter in Brazil. I have written a book about my experiences called “Divine Betrayal.” but I did not mention the celebration of American holidays. Mother always prepared a special chicken dinner on this Thursday, with bread stuffing and all the trimmings. But what I remember the most is going around the table and sharing what we were the most thankful for during this time. Then my Dad would stand up and in an very dramatic way, thank God for all of His many blessings.
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