THANKSGIVING IN MAPUTO 2007

We had a traditional Thanksgiving feast with turkey, mashed potatoes, gravy, green bean casserole, corn, rolls, veggie trays with two types of dip, stuffing, pumpkin pie with whipped cream, peach cobbler with ice cream, and even cranberry sauce. All the American products came from the Crockett’s – they are employed at the US Embassy and can order food that is mailed to them. (Jeff Crockett is Bert Crockett’s brother from my ward at home – small world. He and his family are the only American members of our congregation in Maputo 1 – so it was good that they could spend Thanksgiving with us. They supplied the canned pumpkin, evaporated milk, stuffing, green bean casserole, and brought one of the veggie trays with two dips. These are all items we cannot get here – their veggie tray even had Ritz crackers on it, yummy.)There were about 50 of us – who made up our Mission Family – here are some of their pictures. The first picture is in the Mission Office – two tables here with Elders Crane, Chirungze, Steffensen, Manigue, Nascimento, Dinnell, Ribeiro, and Simas in the kitchen.

These special young men make serving a mission very special – they are very hard workers – and when they play they really play. Boy, can they eat – which make preparing a feast like this really worth the effort. Sister Davis really missed her big family – but she said that she felt very much at home with this wonderful mission family of 32 young men.

These Elders ate at the conference table in the office, they are Udall, Smith, Flanigan, Naylor, Gnehm, someone hidden behind Udall’s head, and Connell.Here is the hidden Elder between Gnehm and Connell – his name is Pinson.

This is Elders Simas and Johnson.
We had food in the office and in the Davis’ apartment – that way all 50 of us could eat before the food got cold. J We are in the Davis’ apartment and starting in the front and going clockwise we have: Elders Passos. Archiza, McBride, Karbakhsh, Naylor, Buckner, Wily, Smoot,I can’t see two or three Elders here, then Gulbransen, Horton. Linda Packard is in the pink outfit by the pillar J I did not give everyone enough time to smile – oophs, not a professional photographer.
Now we are at the Seniors table – We see the back of Sister Crockett’s head (she announced that she is five weeks pregnant –which is a miracle because the doctors have told her for some time now that it was impossible for her to have any more children J Going clock wise from Sister Crockett (well, I was sitting next to here but I am at the camera now. Sister Van Slyke, Elder Van Slyke, (they are the humanitarian couple) Elder Reghin, Sister Reghin, President Packard, Anita is standing up with Calvin, Elder Davis, Sister Davis, the younger Crockett girl is stranding up, Sister Packard is in the doorway, Sister Allred, Brother Crockett – that was our group.

We had a great time -- after eating we went to the Chapel and President and Sister Packard said a few words about being truly grateful -- we sang a few songs -- then the Elders headed back to their very important work -- all having felt like they were back in the USA for a couple of hours. I hope each of you had a memorable Thanksgiving. Sister Wick (Pat)