A Modern Day Pilgrim Story

Early in 2011 a family decided to take on the adventure of moving to a foreign land.  After months of preparation, they sold their home and packed up their belongings and dragged their 4 reluctant children aboard a not-so-uncomfortable 777 and set out across the Atlantic.  They traveled through the gruelling hours of the night (OK, not really-but just go with it) and battled air sickness and bad airplane food along the way; to finally touch ground in Geneva, Switzerland.  They were now the foreigners in a foreign city, surrounded by-let's just say "Indians," as the people who lived there were no more Swiss than the Native Americans were from the West Indies.  The inhabitants of this strange new land were from every tribe and tongue on the planet, yet they came to the rescue of these desperate and scared pilgrims (alright, I was the only one who was desperate) no different than Squanto to William Bradford.  When they needed a place to sleep, Ivan, the landlord from Italy gave them a home (we won't mention the rent). When they were starving from the lack of poptarts and Chick fil A, Gunilla from Sweden took them to the grocery store and when the mother lay sick and dying (it was actually just a kidney stone), Margaret from England took her to the hospital. Each, along with many others, helped this crazy family survive and adjust to their new (albeit temporary) life in Europe.

So as the harvest rolled in their first November in Switzerland, with grateful hearts they gave thanks for the many blessings they had experienced over those first eight months.  They joined hands and prayed alongside their new friends from England, Scotland and Sri Lanka.  They ate turkey, stuffing and sweet potatoe pie and shared the story of Thanksgiving to people who had never heard of the abundant provision of the One True God and His love for His children.  And although they longed for their friends and families in their homeland, this Thanksgiving would be remembered perhaps not as the most beloved, but certainly as the most authentic.

Jackson invited Deklan from England

Kathryn had over Sithara from Sri Lanka

Joshua and his lady friend, Tatyana from Scotland

And how did I pull all this off?  With Emalee-from Georgia-who makes all of this possible through her constant assistance to me.  And who makes a mean pumpkin roll.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!