Thanksgiving is the first real holiday that means a lot to me that I have been away from my family. I’m a huge family person and thought this was going to be a day where I cried and just lived in a self-pity homesick day. However the Lord had other plans for me on this Thanksgiving Day.
The village we are staying in was having a healing crusade on Thanksgiving Day and the next day. The speaker for the crusade was an African man named Emanuel. After breakfast we went to a service for believers where we were introduced and called before the congregation and presented with flowers. We worshiped with the believers and then Emanuel spoke and prayed for people who were having certain dreams. After lunch we went to the crusade part of the day that was held outside. There was more worship and then Emanuel did an alter call and called for the sick. Emanuel prayed for the sick and God healed several of them. What more could you ask for on Thanksgiving. Even though my focus was not on my family all day but on praying for these people there was still something missing. We hadn’t slaved over a meal, and had great family time.
Our pastor knew that it was an American holiday that day, but with being busy with the crusade couldn’t prepare a feast for us. However he and his family made it up to us on Saturday! We were able to celebrate thanksgiving with his family and make MoeMoes with his son and grandson. It was just like thanksgiving helping to prepare food with your family and just hanging out. There was lots of laughter and time put into making the mo:mo’s and it was definitely worth it when it came time to eat them.
God blessed me immensely this Thanksgiving. He blessed me with not only my family from Team WALDO, but our squad leaders were here to enjoy our Thanksgiving meal with us too. He didn’t stop there he blessed me with a family that reminds me so much of my family back home that it’s crazy. Our pastor is 46 and the joy and laughter he brings reminds me so much of my stepdad its unreal. He has a granddaughter who is 2years old and adorable just like my niece Addalae. His 30 year old son and his wife live with them and have an 8 year old song also. This family has loved us so well and brought us into their family that it made the hurt of not being with my family for Thanksgiving hurt a lot less.
I did miss my family still on this holiday but the Lord did not let me sit in a self-pity mood. But instead surrounded me with loved ones who have become my family, and by walking out the plan he has called on my life for this season. When I was missing my family and wondering what there holiday was looking like He told me to pray for them. This is the only way I can love on them and show them how much I truly care for them during this holiday season is by praying for them. I know God is going to do great things in my family this year, and I’m excited to see what those things are.
Photo credit to Stephanie May.
