December 6, 2008

Dear Friends,

My Chinese Thanksgiving.

Greetings once again from Nanjing! I had the blessing of celebrating Thanksgiving twice in November. The first was with another American and seven Chinese friends. We went to a Chinese restaurant near the branch campus of China Pharmaceutical University where I work and where everyone else lives. There were two requests. Jacy, the other American, asked to go someplace that would serve duck. At the time, we didn’t think there were turkeys in China, and Jacy felt that duck would have a taste that approximates that of turkey. Then he kindly explained that I am a vegetarian so we would need to go somewhere that would serve vegetable dishes.

At this local family-run restaurant they seated us in a private room with a large table. The restaurant was not heated, so we ate with our coats on and at one point the electricity went out, so the owner brought us a candle to see by. It was very cozy to have dinner and conversation by candlelight with new friends in China.

The duck was brought whole, per request, and we all watched as Jacy attempted to “carve” it with an enormous cleaver type knife. This provided a great many laughs for all of us!

We had a lovely evening, eating, enjoying one another’s company and exchanging stories about our differing cultures. I was able to enjoy an absolutely marvelous caramelized potato dish that I had never tasted before.

We ended the evening with the group walking me to the bus stop at the school so that I could get my bus for the hour’s ride home to the main campus.

My American Thanksgiving.

My second Thanksgiving celebration was on the Saturday night after Thanksgiving. This one took place at the home of an American couple and their family. Their apartment was spacious and heated, so we didn’t have to wear our coats that evening! There were two turkeys. I have no idea where they were found, but everyone but me was very excited! I, however, went gaga over the mashed potatoes and pumpkin pie! The little things that we take for granted in the United States have become extraordinary here in China!

There were perhaps 25 or 30 of us, many Americans and some spouses who were from Zambia, the Philippines, Germany, and England. So it was appropriately an international dinner, and I was reminded again that America does not consist of a single culture.

The American couple that hosted us told us how they came to China eight years ago with their two children. They had come to adopt a Chinese daughter, and they’d heard that living in China was supposed to make the process less expensive and take less time. After eight years, one might perceive that this is God’s sense of humor, as it has not shortened the time! But clearly they are here for God’s purposes. They have indeed adopted one daughter and are now in the process of adopting another. They said that when this adoption is finalized they will be free to travel anywhere that God calls them. What freedom in Christ! What a life of faith and security that comes from God! I found that very inspirational.

So, during my two Thanksgivings, I heard the call to freedom and love at one, and spent time with Chinese friends who were eager to make this American holiday as precious as possible for two Americans who were away from home.

I think that God was right in the middle of this, making sure that I was blessed, blessed, blessed. Even when I could not be celebrating an American tradition in America, I was given a taste of what it will be in heaven when all of God’s people share together one another’s traditions, and they become the traditions of all.

Advent blessings,

Debbie

The 2008 Mission Yearbook for Prayer & Study, p. 99