Thanksgiving

The missionaries associated with Namwianga are getting together in Lusaka for a retreat Thursday through Sunday. We’ll be sharing this time with Roy and Kathi Merritt, Sheri Sears and daughter Lois, Bart and Stacy Bruington and their three children, and Brian and Sondra Davis and their two boys. We are staying at a missionary guesthouse with kitchen facilities, so we are attempting an American-style Thanksgiving dinner on Friday. This project is quite a challenge! Brian and Sondra Davis found a turkey farmer and purchased a turkey. The last I heard the turkey was still strutting around in his feathers, but by now he may be closer to the roasting stage. We’re all trying to think of traditional dishes that we can find the ingredients for. So far the menu includes turkey and dressing, mashed potatoes and gravy, jello salad, green salad, green bean casserole (made with REAL onion rings), cranberry sauce, and pecan pie.

In addition to the feasting, we’ll be having devotional and singing times, study and reflection times, and sessions of prayer. One member of the group is fitting in a doctor’s appointment, and we all will spend time shopping for those items we can only find in Lusaka. The children in our group will enjoy the guesthouse swimming pool. I’m bringing along the dominoes for some serious Mexican Train marathons. It should be a great time of relaxing and recharging ourselves for the tasks we face.

This is always a good time to reflect and give thanks for the bountiful blessings provided by the Father above. Here is my list of a few things I am thankful for:

In a land where people go hungry, we have plenty to eat.

In a land where many people are sick and dying, we are in good health (David is still having headaches from his bout with malaria, but we hope those will end soon)

I miss my children more than I can say, but I am thankful that others are ministering to them and caring for their needs.

In a land where many do not know about Jesus, I give thanks for the heritage of faith passed on to me through my parents.

In a land where education is available only to some, I am thankful for the opportunities I have had to go to school.

In a land far from my home, I give thanks for the many ways that the Brentwood Oaks Church of Christ family and our friends minister to us.

In a land where many have only the clothes on their backs, I give thanks for what I have to wear.

In a land where many are needy, I am thankful to be able to share what I have.

Happy Thanksgiving!