Larry and Brenda invited everyone from our weekly Bible study group to a Thanksgiving dinner before we had our study. They were having two young women from the States, who were studying in Florence, Italy. They wanted to celebrate Thanksgiving so Larry and Brenda invited them to come to Martin for a Thanksgiving feast.
The Fasts had found a person that raises turkey snot far from Martin. The turkey they got was about 8 kilograms! There was only one oven in any of the buildings that could handle a bird of that size. So they cooked it in the oven downstairs in the kitchen in the Gymnasium. Brenda made two kinds of dressing, cornbread and a regular bread recipe. Jeannine and Gary fixed the sweet potatoes and Jeannine did the cinnamon and pocketbook rolls. People brought desserts, salad, green bean dish. We had no trouble feeding the twelve people there.
We had quite an international group. Four are Norwegian medical students, two Slovakians, a student of the Center for Christian Education (CCE) and a teacher at the Elementary School, and seven Americans. It was quite an experience for all non-Americans.
Then on Sunday, we had a wonderful first Sunday in Advent. The children (who usually attend church school at this time) came in the church. Two were carrying small lanterns.
The two children put the lanterns on the altar, and later the Pastor elevated them for all to see. A young girl began reading about the Advent Season. Unfortunately, our interpreter was not set up as she read, so we do not know exactly what she said. However, the rest of service (except part of the liturgy, which we have in the bulletin) and the hymns are now translated for us. This is something new for the people who stay one or more years.
After Church, we had our regular “after-church” coffee at one of two places that is open Sunday, on the Square. This week it was just the two American couples. As always, it is wonderful Fellowship.
After leaving the restaurant, Gary and Jeannine decided to walk to the Museum on Slovak Culture. The weather forecast includes snow for the rest of the week. We did not know if it would be open or not, and wanted to see the hours that the museum is opened.
It was opened, so we decided to go through it. As we are there, Jeannine’s ear picks up some Spanish being spoken. She strikes up a conversation and discovered that a Slovak, whose parents live in Martin, is telling his two friends (from Peru) about the exhibits. All three work in a Peruvian café in Bratislava. The Slovak has meet Emily and talked to her about her work as an English teacher here in Martin. He is planning to go to Venezuela in January 2011, to teach English there.
Jim and Paulo with Jeannine and Gary
Another example of how “small” this world is becoming.
That night it snowed. We woke up to 3 or 4 inches of snow on our windows and the ground.
Thanks to the Women’s Group at Saint John’s, we have some nice winter clothes to keep us warm. We thank you so much. Gary bought a coat with a warm hood, some wool socks and a scarf. Jeannine bought a coat that looks good with dresses, several scarves and some warm tights.
The children here are like other children, snow is fun:
There is so much to be thankful for!
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