Editors’ Note: Canadians celebrate Thanksgiving nearly two months earlier than their southern neighbors in the US – this year it was Oct 9 for Canada and Nov 23 for the USA. We asked a few North American women living abroad what the Thanksgiving holiday means to them, now that they live on a different continent. Here is what our sister Leslie de Morais had to say: 

WTI: Where do you live and why do you live there? 

I currently live in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. We returned to Brazil nine years after living in the States for a decade. I originally came to Brazil as part of the mission team that planted the first ICOC here back in 1987.

Do you celebrate Thanksgiving? If so, why? 

We started celebrating Thanksgiving here in Brazil when our kids where in grade school (about ages 9 and 7). Honestly, I think I was feeling a little home sick and felt the need to pass on this American tradition. There were several other families who have at least one American in the family, so we included them. The celebrating was amazing and it helped all of us to feel connected.

What do you usually do to celebrate Thanksgiving? 

Since it is not a holiday here in Brazil, we found that celebrating on a Saturday made more sense than on a Thursday. Also, there would no American football, so we played all kinds of games instead. We also had one of the American men tell the story of Thanksgiving so the kids and Brazilian spouses would understand the true meaning of the holiday.  

What does Thanksgiving mean to you?

Thanksgiving represents one of the Christ-like characteristics I admire most which is gratitude. It is the glue that bonds couples, unites families, trains children and helps all of us approach God with humility in our hearts. Thanksgiving is the only holiday I know of that every other culture and religion can practice freely and participate in openly because gratitude is something everyone can support and promote.

What are you thanking God for this Thanksgiving 2023? 

All the usual suspects come to mind: relationship with God, family, health and safety. But if I go a bit deeper, I am so very grateful for repentance and forgiveness, the opportunity that God gives us to begin over every day. I’m also grateful for the spiritual perspective the Bible gives me that saves me from falling into Satan's traps, that the world seems to be blind to.

We are all so blessed in Christ. We could celebrate Thanksgiving every day and still have more to be grateful for!