WAVERLY - The first Thanksgiving brought together two cultures: pilgrims from Europe and members of the Wampanoag tribe.

On Thursday, Waverly residents Heidi and Jon Hennings and family feasted on turkey, potatoes and pie with students representing countries in Asia, Africa, South and Central America.

Host parents for a Wartburg College senior from China, the Hennings learned that some international students spend Thanksgiving alone on campus. Three years ago, the Hennings started inviting these students to a Thanksgiving celebration. On Thursday, the tradition continued at Grace Baptist Church in Waverly.

"We just don't want people to be alone," Heidi Hennings said. "Especially international students. They don't have family nearby. There's nothing to do on campus."

Relatives celebrating Thanksgiving with the Hennings also attend.

"It actually turns out to be a nice family gathering ... only bigger," Hennings said.

Xingxing Wang said her host parents - who act as mentors and a support network - are considerate to include international students in a family-oriented tradition. This year, nine students attended. Past gatherings have attracted up to 20 students.

"It's very, very thoughtful of them," Wang said.

"They try to build another atmosphere (for students)," she added. "Gather together, have food together, just have fun together."

As organizers finished dinner preparations, Jon Hennings' mother, Sue, and her husband, Roger, chatted with international students about the origins and icons of Thanksgiving - pilgrims and Native Americans - and more recent traditions - football.

Njoroge Nyoike of Nairobi, Kenya, was geared up for the big day that follows Thanksgiving- Black Friday. The college freshman plans to hit up Best Buy, Walmart and Sears.

Some international students spend holidays with host families or travel inside the U.S. during vacations, said Jorge Rodriguez, a second-year student from Columbia. Longer breaks may allow for a trip home but this Thanksgiving, students have just four days off, including the weekend, he said.

"It's pointless to go somewhere else," Rodriguez said.

Japan native Saki Sakaguchi's closest reference to Thanksgiving is probably New Year's festivities back home, in terms of gathering with family, enjoying food, being grateful for health and enjoying shopping sales. She appreciated the tasty, home-cooked meal on Thursday.

"I like turkey," Sakaguchi said. "I hear turkey makes you sleepy."

Jon Hennings, pastor of Peace United Church of Christ in Waverly, said he and his wife simply want to meet the needs of international students. The Hennings' congregation has been meeting at Grace Baptist since their own church building was damaged by the 2008 floods.

Freshman Christian Riquelme of Costa Rica doesn't celebrate Thanksgiving and therefore wouldn't have felt like he was missing out by forgoing a special dinner on Thursday. He considered the invitation a good opportunity to experience an American tradition.

"It's interesting," he said. "To get to know something new ... share with people."