Eric's Beijing Diary

Thanksgiving. This is my fourth Thanksgiving in China. I usually look for a place to have a special turkey dinner. The first year I went to the John Bull Pub. The second year, I took Amber to the Swissotel. Last year, I went with Jean to Tim's Texas Bar-B-Que. This year I decided to do something different. I really believe that Thanksgiving is a time for Christians to show gratitude to God for what He has provided for them. I wanted to find a way to include my friends from church in what is a very American holiday, and yet recognized throughout the Chinese churches as a time when we should give thanks to God. So I called a few people, and we put together a meal here at my apartment. I pretty much gave up on turkey from the start, but I did ask if anyone could cook chicken. Cindy said she knew how to make "Cola Chicken." I know, I was wondering, too. Believe it or not, it's actually quite tasty.

Jesson brought his guitar so we could sing a bunch of songs that we usually sing in the English service on Sunday. After this, I asked each person to think of something they were thankful for from the preceding year. It's really interesting the talk that emerges from people trying to think of what they are thankful for. It makes for very positive and enlightening conversation.

I will admit that Thanksgiving without turkey is a little strange. But Thanksgiving without thanksgiving is even stranger. This year, I decided to focus on thanksgiving instead of Thanksgiving, and I'm glad I did. I fed 12 people for less than it would have cost me for one American style Thanksgiving dinner over in the embassy district. And we ate like kings. But more importantly, a bunch of people getting together to sing and give praise and thanks to God leaves a much richer memory than one foreigner at an over priced restaurant pigging out on exotic imported food.

Happy Cola-chicken Day!