Thanksgiving in China is never anything like the holiday in America. First of all, China doesn't recognize it as a holiday at all. Secondly, those of us who are Americans can rarely find the time or the proper foods available to make the Thanksgiving dinner something similar to what we eat at home in the States. Thirdly, even if all the foods were available, most of us do not have any more than our very closest family members with us. Its just not quite the same when brothers and sisters, aunts and uncles, mothers and fathers, and grandparents are all thousands of miles away!

 

All that being said, we still had a very nice Thanksgiving Day today here in northwest China. My school purchased a whole bunch of pre-cooked Beijing Ducks to give away to the teachers as a gift for Thanksgiving, so we made the most of it and chowed down on duck for our meal today. To accompany the Beijing Duck, my wife prepared mashed potatoes and salad (w/ Ranch Dressing.. a huge treat to have in China!), and we had some brownies for dessert! It really was an awesome meal, especially for China!

 

Instead of having tons of family over for Thanksgiving (that wasn't even an option!), we invited a single South African co-worker and our kids' Chinese babysitter over for a few hours. Neither of them celebrate Thanksgiving in their own cultures, but they enjoyed it nonetheless. The need to give thanks to God at all times and for all times is not restricted to any certain nation!

 

In closing, I want to simply say how much thankfulness should be a part of our lives as Christians. Over and over and over again the command is given in the Bible to give thanks to the LORD and to be thankful for all He has done. We have need to be thankful for EVERYTHING that we have. Our salvation, our families, our health, our calling, our career, our daily bread, all things flow from His hand! And we must thank Him for He is good and His mercy endures forever!