Happy Thanksgiving!

We celebrated Thanksgiving in Sudan today. This is the first of the major holidays that I have spent away from home, and while it was sad to be away from family, we found ways to celebrate and remain thankful. Over the course of the day, we made pilgrim hats and Native American headdresses to wear at lunch. We crafted hand turkeys to give away to people here on our compound. We hosted an American football game and spent a couple hours teaching Englishmen and South Africans how to play. And we made a campfire and roasted marshmallows (not traditionally Thanksgiving-esque, but we do what we can to make ourselves feel at home).

But most importantly, today I took some time to reassess all the things in life for which I am incredibly thankful. This year, my list is much longer than usual. So, here are just a few of the things that top my list:

1. I am incredibly thankful for my family. I have never fully appreciated them until now when I am away from home and realize what incredible support, love, and encouragement I get from them every day.
2. I am incredibly thankful for my friends. Many of my good friends have stepped up to help with projects, to send packages, to call and send emails. Many friends have become good friends, and many acquaintances have been friends. I am blessed beyond words by the friendships that have developed over the last several months and the friendships that remind me anew every day of the love that ties brothers and sisters in Christ.
3. I am incredibly thankful for my supporting churches in the US. I could not do what I am doing without so many dedicated prayer supporters and churches devoted to seeing the glory of the Lord displayed in this place. What an encouragement it is to know that there are hundreds of people praying for me and this project!
4. I am incredibly thankful for the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering which provides the majority of the support for me and many others like me. I am so thankful that I do not have to raise my own funds but that dedicated churches and individuals across the US step up each year, even when it hurts financially, and give to the offering that places and keeps workers on the field!
5. I am incredibly thankful for my teammates here in Sudan. For my colleagues and supervisors here on the field who challenge me and encourage me daily—who keep me sane when I’m going a little crazy…and who help make me crazy when I’m going a little sane.
6. I am incredibly thankful for the ways I see God moving in this place already. I am so blessed to be able to witness firsthand the miraculous ways that God is changing this place and drawing these people to Himself little by little.
7. I am incredibly thankful for the sacrifice that Jesus Christ made on the cross. Every day, I deserve death, but every day I am given Grace. How incredible!

My prayer for you today is that you have been blessed to think of the things for which you are thankful. Happy Thanksgiving!