Four Thanksgivings and a Christmas Market

A very common question we get here is if we are homesick. This question comes up most frequently during this time of year, especially with Thanksgiving, which obviously is not celebrated in the Czech Republic. And even though Thanksgiving here feels very different than Thanksgiving at home - working a full day on Thanksgiving day being one of the largest differences - we have been blessed with multiple communities who have helped it feel like a time of thankfulness in a place that now feels like home.
This year between October 24 & November 26, we were able to be part of four different Thanksgiving dinners with four different groups here in Prague.

Our first Thanksgiving on October 24 was with our Teach Beyond team (minus 3 people who couldn't be with us). These are all the Americans & Canadians who work with Teach Beyond & live in the Czech Republic.

Next, on November 6-8 we were on a retreat with the ESL teachers who work with Teach Beyond. There are 8 of us Americans who work in Czech & Hungarian schools, and we were able to have some spiritual rest & renewal as well as a delicious Thanksgiving dinner together.

On November 21, our friend Shara hosted and prepared ALL the food for our third Thanksgiving dinner. This meal was especially interesting & wonderful because there were only 4 Americans. The other 8 guests were all Czechs, and for some of them this was their first American Thanksgiving meal ever.

Finally, on Thanksgiving day, we shared a wonderful meal with our Bible study group (and some other friends). Countries represented: Czech Republic, USA, Scotland, Ireland, England, the Netherlands, Singapore, Kuwait, Honduras, and Ghana. It's a constant joy to be a part of such an international community!

Now that it is the first weekend of Advent, this also means that Europe's Christmas markets are in full swing! We were lucky enough to have a friend in from out of town this weekend as an excuse to head down into the touristy areas & soak up the festivities!

Prague's largest Christmas market is in Old Town Square

Our friend (and Teach Beyond teammate) Danielle was able to come to Prague for the Christmas market, so the five of us enjoyed some time in Prague's Old Town Square.

 

We are really looking forward to this Advent season, and our prayers are with all our friends & family as we REJOICE in what this whole season means!