Thanksgiving in Liberia

Happy Thanksgiving Everyone!

We had a special day here...called off classes and organized a fishing adventure on a very tippy canoe, out in to Lake Piso. We walked out to the mouth of the lake, where it connects to the ocean, and waited for our boat to paddle up, fishing for bait while we waited. When the canoe arrived, Nik's dad and I decided we were a little too old and fussy to sit in the bottom of a small leaky wooden vessel, but Nik, Timmy and Donnett went aboard and paddled out away from shore. Apparently, Nik caught all the fish, Donnett caught one, and Timmy caught none. They eventually straggled back right in time for our Thanksgiving lunch, carrying lots of fish. Gathered around the table and enjoyed American stuffing from a box along with our spicy chicken and rice dish. Nik's dad gave money for the chickens, and Nik and Essie had gone out and bought them from a neighbor and chased them around to catch them. Donnett killed them, Nik looking on in fascination...

This evening we went around the table and gave thanks for our day (which we do every day) and Nik's dad gave a good speech, which I translated into English, about how well he was being taken care of here and how much he was enjoying himself in this beautiful place. He spent most of the afternoon being entertained by local children, playing games and walking along the beach. He also generously bought new shoes and shirts for Nik's two best fishing buddy friends.

Today is the day that I commemorate the death of my father, since he passed away on Thanksgiving, and I believe that he would be very happy to see Nik and I here among such good friends and family.

love,

Rachel