WOW, there is so much to be thankful for
! I had the privilege of spending Thanksgiving Day with the Gores, my extended family in Mission Viejo. I’m blessed that I have family here in Southern California who I would choose to spend time with even if we weren’t related.
On Thursday morning we visited with a Bishop from Kenya dwho the Gores worked with on one of their many mission trips to Africa. On the left is a picture of the Bishop with my cousin Kim. It was cool to hear how God is working in the church in Kenya. Conversations like that continue to wet my appetite for next year.
Kim (my second cousin) also got to share about her very recent mission trip to
Rwanda with the leadership of Saddleback church, including Rick Warren. It was heart wrenching to hear about how many orphans the genocide has created. While there Kim met family after family with 10-20 kids, because they have taken in the children of their relatives who were killed.
The Gores are such an example to me of people who live every day for Christ. They continually use their gift of hospitality to benefit others. Everyone is welcome at their house. Last year they had a family who was displaced because of hurricane Katrina living with them.
One summer they hosted 5 Mongolians for a few months, 2 children, 2 moms and one interpreter. Each of the children were born with heart problems and through Children’s Hope Purse they came to the United States for the operations that would save their lives. At the end of the summer each of the Mongolians decided to accept Christ because of the love that they saw demonstrated through the actions of the Gores and the church. On the right is a picture of Tommy my second cousin, his daughter Heidi, and Bomba one of the boys from Mongolia. Someday, when (if) I have a home, I want to use it the way that the Gores do!
Here are a few more fun pictures from Thanksgiving!!
My Great Uncle and Aunt, Dave and Jackie) with the Bishop from Kenya.
Everyone after a great dinner.
Heidi playing dress up in all my give away clothing. This is my last three years of
Halloween costumes all at once!
Heidi the Christmas Elf
Dane, Kassandra, Heidi and Me.
