Homesick ex-pats have much for which to be thankful.
The tradition of our annual Thanksgiving feast began when the first American missionaries came to Cheonan. Wanting to provide a home thousands of miles away from home, generous foks like the Patches, Mercers and other generous souls hosted a late November feast.
Back then Korea was much less developed and ingredients were much harder to come by. Western foods, a national interconnecting railway, and paved roads in Cheonan were non-existent until the mid-70s. However, knowing how much a taste of home and turkey would mean to other missionaries, teachers and 68,000 American military personnel, our hosts bravely opened their houses. Due to the volume of visitors, the meal had to be served and seated in shifts.
Over the years this endeavor has evolved into an international gathering of which 19 countries are represented. In 2004, our annual Thanksgiving dinner invited members of KOTESOL so that our congregation would have a chance to meet other educators and spread the words and love of Christ. This year 220 people attended and 13 turkeys were cooked.
It is our hope that with a generous spirit, many more can be invited and introduced to the Lord's work. - - J. Broward
