The word for Thanksgiving in Thai literally translates to: “Day Thank You God.” I thought this a very appropriate name since this expresses the true meaning of why we celebrate this day in America.
We planned a Thanksgiving Outreach dinner at the Henry’s house together with them, and we invited many of our English students here at New Community. Crystal & Paul Henry invited many of their new friends from the University campus. We probably had about 20-30 people there for the night, so praise God for bringing all our Thai friends there that we invited and for making our food spread around and feed everyone. Both Crystal & I were nervous about our dishes being able to feed everyone since in Thailand many foreign ingredients are very sparse and expensive, and ovens are conventional, small toaster size, not big ones like we have in America. So only one small casserole dish or pie can be cooking at one time. Anyway, God provided of course!, and we were able to make a ton of food in time for our guests’ arrival: Green Bean Casserole (thanks to Kim for french fried onions loan), Squash Corn Casserole, Cranberry Sauce, Applesauce (a la Jean Bronson), Grits Casserole, Pecan & Pumpkin Pie, Turkey, Gravy & Stuffing, Sweet Potato Casserole, Mashed Potatoes, and – my favorite – Guacamole and Chips! I know that sounds like a strange combination, but when you haven’t had guacamole in 2 months youll do whatever you have to do to make it happen.
After we ate and i had explained the normal American custom of eating alot and then sitting around, watching football and then napping on Thanksgiving (which all my friends thought was totally bizarre – they also couldn’t believe how many times I went back for more food) we broke in the Henrys’ new kareoke machine and sang until almost midnight! Kareoke is very common and popular here. It was a blast and we are so thankful for the night going well and the scrumptious food.
Thank You God Day was wonderful for us to enjoy the food, the company, and get to know our Thai friends better. Thanks for your prayers about this.
Pam Benton said,
November 30, 2006 at 1:29 am
Becky, I LOVE reading your blog……and all the pictures!!! I feel like I have made a trip each time. Your Thank You God Day reminds me of our first Thanksgiving in Scotland….trying to make it like home when you are so far away from folks who know anything about Pilgrims and Indians!! I would love to have shared your meal!!! I love Jean’s apple sauce, too!! You two are very precious to us…..thank you so much for sharing life with us.