Though the countries we’ve lived in these past couple of months do not traditionally celebrate Thanksgiving (Christmas decor in October is actually excusable), our American World Race family has spent a November full of giving thanks – and introducing our new friends to our special holiday.
A part of me, honestly, didn’t want to think about Thanksgiving or the traditions of the day – if I ignored it, I wouldn’t miss out on the fellowship of family and friends, duck hunting, deviled eggs, football in the front yard, Mom’s cooking, Grandma’s announcements and red plate and Grandpa’s prayer, washing dishes with my cousins. But the point isn’t about the traditions, – though they are comfortable, life-giving and cherished – the point is about giving thanks and sharing that joy of thanksgiving with others.
So when Tracy and Dustin (from the team we were paired up with this month) walked out dressed in their Sunday best, I was prodded to celebrate and not only face but embrace Thanksgiving in Honduras. The night became our own. The day became a memory in the making, a resemblance of traditions, but a living-in-the-moment masterpiece of laughter and joy and friendship. We never would have had a banana pudding throwing contest at my Thanksgiving table, but we did this year. (well, two teammates did).
(Dustin and Tracy – from Team Crash of Love.)
Thanksgiving Night: our feast
If I had to pick the one thing I am most thankful for this year it would be the people who are praying for me. You. I am thankful for you. I won’t pretend to understand how prayer works, but I know it does. I know that you are changing history when you pray to Almighty God. Your prayers are powerful and effective. I believe it is because of your prayers I have experienced incredible protection and health on the field. And I anticipate the coming months – knowing that because of your prayers you are drawing near to the Father, I am drawing near to the Father, and we will never be the same.
This week we are in Granada, Nicaragua at debrief – something we all need very much. Our Squad Leaders and Coaches are helping us process what we’ve experienced these past couple months. Honestly, its hard being on guard all the time. Watching your pockets, your stuff, guarding your heart and mind. It is also a faith challenge when what you’ve prayed for doesn’t come about – whether it is a healing or a specific answer. But as one of our Squad Leaders, Tim, spoke at one of our sessions, I realized it isn’t about the miraculous healing, it isn’t about the answer. God is a relational God, and He longs for intimacy with us. I don’t know what that looks like but this is our year.
But of course my Thanksgiving Thankful list can’t stop with one… there are so many:
– Squadmate, Phil, is on the field! He never had to go home. THANK you for praying and for supporting him! He is still raising support but he is still right where he needs to be – out here with us! Phil was actually part of one of the teams who were in Honduras for October. They paved the way for us to be able to do all that we did this month. I love how the body of Christ comes together!
-Time with Sumaya (a Honduran woman of God who is imperative to Tony’s ministry in Honduras.)
-Quiet time on the farm hiking.
-Making chocolate chip banana bread for my team.
-Assisting with planning and preparing the meals for our teams (15 people) and then additional on the weekends with the boys and the girls from Los Pinos.
-Conducting a PRA (Participatory Rural Appraisal – something I studied in Grad school) meeting with the leaders of EL Horno. The schoolteacher kept a book of El Horno’s history – and the school. (The handwriting is beautiful.)
-He also kept something close to a yearbook – pictures of each of his students, their full names, and their final grades.
-He gave me a Spanish lesson (mostly about animals – and then it centered on cows, milk and cheese). Quite comical, I assure you.
-Clean laundry.
-We finished painting the living room of the dormitory where we lived.
-Blessed 4 girls from Los Pinos with a sleepover. Movies, laughter, banana bread (they LOVED it!), a complete and beautiful, well balanced breakfast (a hard boiled egg, black beans, handmade tortillas, an orange slice and a glass of milk).
Milk Mustache – even in Honduras. Night treat for sleepovers 🙂
Sleepover! Watching movies, braiding hair, chatting – and lots of giggles!
Breakfast for the girls!
Breakfast in bed 🙂 Girls’ sleepover.
-Discovering a house on the other side of the mountain where the groundskeeper, Santos, and his family lived for four years. No electricity, no running water. The view is breathtaking! Our God is GOOD.
-Holding church at the finca and DANCING through the entire time of worship! AMAZING!
-Christopher – one of the boys from Los Pinos accepted Christ as his Lord and Savior. Tony woke him up with a cup of coffee at 6:30 the morning after he said he wanted to accept Christ. They climbed the mountain. Tony shared his story and then Christopher prayed!!!
-Roni’s dad, an alcoholic, showed up for us to talk to! We hadn’t seen him for three weeks.
-God using the people I’ve met, places I’ve been, and even grad school – all this month to serve this ministry.
-The website, brochure, newsletter, PowerPoint and movie finished for An Opportunity in Honduras and The Garden of Eden. http://anopportunityinHonduras.blogspot.com
-Amalia. A precious little girl with a contagious smile, a dream of becoming a nurse, and a playful spirit.
-Hearing stories of what the people we ministered to this month have walked through – and knowing our God reigns. He never lets go. Never.
For more photos of our month in Honduras:
