Thanksgiving is an American holiday with rich traditions of food, family and remembering all the things in our lives we have to be grateful for. For international students living in the USA, it can be a fantastic time to participate in some American culture and get to know local friends. Many American families enjoy welcoming others to their table during the Thanksgiving season.

For international students, scholars and families, we invite you sign up to eat with a local family on Thursday, November 17, 2016. This is actually one week before Thanksgiving Day. We are holding this event early to work well with the universities' schedules. Since there is a week of no classes, many students and families like to travel, but most people are still in town on the 17th.

If you sign up, you will be matched with an American family and several other students, to enjoy a Thanksgiving style meal. Bring some friends! So far, over 20 local friends have signed up to help with this event, and we are ready to help you meet them!

What: Dinner, Thanksgiving Style
When: Thursday, November 17, 2016 in the evening.
Cost: FREE. Please, be our guest!
Who: International Students, Scholars, and their families.

Chinese (Lunar) New Year is celebrated in several Asian countries including China, Taiwan, Korea, and Vietnam. Our club on the CSUN campus, the Cross-Cultural Friendship Club, had a simple but fun celebration at a local Chinese restaurant. New Year celebrations in China are especially marked by going home to be with family. One Tibetan friend said her family also celebrates New Year at this time. For several days in a row, they celebrate with different activities. On the first day, they are expected to wear clothing that is brand new. Even I can understand the symbolism!

The emphasis on family at the New Year seems different from many American traditions, which involve heavy drinking and partying with peers. Sadly, some Chinese look forward to the extended time with their families with apprehension. For older adult children who remain single, it is common to experience tremendous pressure from their parents and other family members to get busy and find a spouse. The family expectations are far more intense than what we are used to in the USA.

“Find my son a wife.” This was the directive that Abraham gave to his servant in Genesis 24. Without a wife, Abraham’s beloved so, Isaac, could not produce any grandchildren and carry forward the blessing and future that God had promised. In a mesmerizing story of God’s divine guidance, we see that the Servant is led to one young lady who was one of Abraham’s relatives.

We studied this story with internationals on Friday, February 13. Being Valentine’s weekend, we thought a love story from the Bible might be interesting for the students. It’s fascinating that Rebekah’s story points toward the ultimate love story in the Bible. It is Rebekah’s simple agreement to the servant to go with him to his master’s household that has redemptive overtones. We talked about the childlike faith to trust and follow this servant. What convinced her? It’s hard to know for sure, but the lavish gifts the servant came bearing were certainly a foretaste of future prosperity.

As we carry the gifts of the Kingdom, the gifts of the Spirit, we too are giving others a foretaste and an invitation to greater glory in the Father’s House. Accepting the invitation is the beginning of a forever relationship with the Son.