Happy Thanksgiving!

Today marks a milestone for our family. It is our very first Thanksgiving spent in Zambia. We were home last year for Thanksgiving, Christmas and Easter, so our first American holiday here was July 4th. But this is the first "big one" - one where we are usually spending the day with our family enjoying delicious turkey and "fixins", sharing stories, laughing at kids, and relaxing together. So, our hearts are a little sad today knowing that our families will be celebrating without us. Y'all eat some extra turkey, dressing, and strawberry stuff for us, OK?

However, we are indeed thankful that the Lord has provided surrogate family for us here and that we are still able to celebrate! We are thankful that Shoprite stocked frozen turkeys (which they don't normally have), and that we have the flexibility to spend the afternoon and evening celebrating with dear friends. Brent will still be conducting his 2:7 discipleship class this afternoon since, after all, Zambia does not have a reason to acknowledge the last Thursday in November. But we will all be together tonight to eat and fellowship, and I'm sure there'll be a whole lot of laughing and relaxing! We will also have a big team celebration on Saturday at Ciyanjano, ACTION Zambia's ministry center.

We're mindful and thankful today for God's graciousness to us each and every day. We're thankful for healthy and thriving children. We're thankful for Zambia and what God teaches us as we live life here. We're thankful for our extended families, our fantastic team and our dear friends on both sides of the ocean. We're extremely thankful for all of you who support and pray for us so diligently. What would we do without you? Most of all, we are thankful to be loved by our God - the Creator, the Redeemer, the Sanctifier Who is over all, through all and in all. May He receive all the glory for every blessing we have! Happy Thanksgiving!