Our Journey

Happy Thanksgiving!

Thanksgiving Day happened to fall on our regular Section Meeting night and coincidentally, the night we were scheduled to host.  So it only seemed natural to share this American holiday with our friends.

On an average week, there are 12 – 15 people at Bible Study.  But last night… people just kept arriving!  One car even dropped off a full load of passengers and then went to get more people.  As people streamed in I caught Pastor Kaunda’s eye and we both broke into laughter.  My best count is 38 people!  Just before the program began, I leaned over Rev. Mhone and asked that he pray for a miracle, ala feeding the 5000.

Thanksgiving is...

When everyone had arrived and settled in, Claire Marin stood and gave a beautiful presentation explaining the history of Thanksgiving, American traditions and some of our family traditions.  She eloquently ended by thanking everyone for their attention, asking them to think of those things for which they are thankful, and asking me to pray for the meal.  She is an excellent public speaker, with poise beyond her years.

Tom Turkey

the chef at work

Following a prayer of thanks, where my voice cracked giving thanks to God for our Malawian family that had gathered to stand in for our family at home, we ate and ate!  The final menu was: turkey, chicken (in case Malawi turkey was inedible),  nsima, mashed potatoes and gravy (Jeff’s masterpiece), squash & mango soup, stuffing, feta slaw, macaroni & cheese, green beans, apple pie, chocolate cake (thanks to Moty), chocolate chip cookies, and honey roasted nuts.  Whew!

The nsima was hardly touched, but aside from that there only remained one piece of chocolate cake and a bowl of soup.  The women were full of questions about recipes – mostly the desserts!  I think a baking day is in our future.

Marie Claire getting ready to EAT!

Everyone relaxed after the meal.  Marie Claire and some friends from school in her room playing baua, youth on the front porch, young adults on the stairs, folks gathered in the dining room scavaging the last peanuts and pie crumbs, and the rest in the family room rubbing their bellies.

Feasting!

Jeff and I love a house full of people – good food, laughter, rubbing elbows and sharing life together.  We didn’t play cards, watch football, raise a glass, look at Target ads, or eat lefsae.  But we were thankful just the same, surrounded by people we love and who love us.