With thanks...

In Uganda, today is just another day. We woke up to the sound of rain falling and the hum of the generator across the street (the power has been out since yesterday evening). We chased a gecko out of the bathroom, squashed a roach, and managed to get ourselves out the door headed to work on time. This evening we'll enjoy traditional Ugandan food with our eMi family (please note: turkey and dressing with green bean casserole is not traditional Ugandan food!). Not exactly our typical Thanksgiving, but the beauty of living here is that we are constantly reminded of what we have to be thankful for. Yes, things are different - in fact, there are some parts of being here that are "not ideal" - but that magnifies the blessings that surround us more and more each day.

We realize this is said so many times this time of year that we almost start to tune it out, but we really want you to understand just how thankful we are for you.  Our family and friends have helped to encourage and sustain us here more than we ever believed was possible.  Each prayer that is said on our behalf, every kind word you share gives us the strength to keep pursuing our purpose here - to strive to keep honoring God in each part of our lives here.  Really and truly, we could not do this without the support we receive from those we love back at home.  And so as you gather around the table - perhaps with your family, with your spouse, with your friends - we just want to remind you that there is a couple in Africa who is thinking about you today and praising God for the blessing you are to us.  And on that note, if you really love us, you'll be sure to help yourselves to seconds in our honor...!  

Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours!