American Thanksgiving | Makin' A Way

God takes our little, and makes it much.

No matter where you are in the world, when there is a well-known, well celebrated national holiday in your home culture, you are a little homesick for the memories, and local traditions with friends and family. Nothing can ever replace time with people you love, and memories they make without you, but when sacrifice is commonplace for so many aspects of life... Some people choose to celebrate in small ways while acclimating to the culture around them, and others hold onto what they can and share with others.
It is definitely worth a try to celebrate a holiday that is focused on being thankful eh?

For Matt, this Thanksgiving - was all about that.

He made a point this year to use the opportunity to bring a little home to some of the Americans at YWAM Perth - Through an American Thanksgiving - potluck!
Attending that afternoon, were long-term staff who do not get home for the holidays too often... Students who only got here a few months ago, but this was their first Thanksgiving away from 'home'.
Yes, if you are asking.. they were grateful. And some were in tears.

All and all around 110 people showed up! We ran out of plates at 100 -so-somethin like that.

Americans, their families... and a few others came along too! Quite the variety of people from all over the world. Our clusters of groups sprawled throughout the open kitchen, dining room, livingroom, patio, and backyard of a YWAM 'Girls house'.
Everyone brought what they could.. and when it looked like we didn't have enough for the main meal, somehow it stretched to the point we even had leftovers!
Well, we did pray. I'm almost certain that is the only reason that Turkey seemed to multiply!
Heaps of "loaves and fishes" jokes.

After we were all gathered, and found a place to settle into, Matt introduced himself, thanked the girls who allowed us to use their house, and the ones who helped in the details... thanked everyone for bringing foods -- and led us out in prayer for our food, our time together, and that those that were with us would sincerely feel at home.

While eating heaps of stuffing, potatoes, gravy, green beans, cornbread,.. rolls... oh so many many things --- we had moments of conversation, sharing what our memories were while growing up.. what a personal and regional traditions  are... what our families are like. We talked about how we all missed our grandparents, and aunts and uncles who with their quirky stories and memories of our parents childhood - bringing light and laughter to our normal Thanksgiving.

I can say so many lovely people made a way for this to happen,.... but I think Matts mum had reason to be proud, as it is a huge tradition to have a large family gathering's sometimes even more than one with different sides of the family.