I missed the chance to get to update over Thanksgiving. And I was thinking that I have much to be thankful for this Thanksgiving. Being here in South Africa has made that all the more evident. I can't even begin counting the things that I take for granted living in America.

 

So the purpose of this post, is simply to thank God for all that He has given me, and just for who he is. One thing that really stands out since I've been here is that, looking back over my life (which I never have done before...) I have never noticed the numerous times in which Jesus really protected me. I know this sounds really silly... that I haven't been able to acknowledge his provision in my life, but it's so true. Not until being in Africa have I been able to really see all the places in which God has really stepped in and made sure I didn't mess up. It's a humbling experience, really. So Lord, I thank you so much for watching out for me!

 

Secondly, I would like to thank all of my supporters for everything that they are doing for me and for the kingdom. It is ridiculous, first of all, that I'm in Africa. That's a miracle in itself. But to experience the amazing things that God is doing here in my life and the lives of all the people that I have been meeting is something even more extraordinary. I have seen God in the little things, in a smile, in a hug, in the sunrise, in waking up every morning. So, thank you so much for your effort to give me this experience. I hope that through this, you might find a new way to experience His love, too. I know that if I look, I can always find Him =]

 

And lastly, I would just like to encourage you to wrestle with what's going on in this world today. Being here, which, in comparison to much of Africa, is actually pretty advanced, has been stirring my thoughts... I find myself restless with thinking about how privileged and blessed I have been all of my life. I have never had to worry about a place to sleep at night, or food to eat. I have never had to beg on the street for food (which is common for the street kids). I have never had to worry about ANY necessities. And I have easily taken this for granted so many times. For instance today, as I was drinking some bottled water, I was rudely awakened to the current state of Zimbabwe. There is literally no food to feed Zimbabweans, and cholera has already killed more that 560 people in recent months because of a lack of sanitary water. The largest hospitals there are closed because of a lack of medicine and pay for doctors. While some are struggling to find clean water, I find myself blissfully sipping from my bottle of Aquartz water. How can this be?

 

I guess what I'm trying to say is that, simply, the Lord has blessed me again and again and I don't deserve it in the least. Others are suffering and I am not. I have no reason to complain, and every reason to be thankful for the things that I have. I have no excuse NOT to reach out to those who are in need.

 

So, what can we do? What can YOU do to reach out to someone in need? 

 

Proverbs 31:8-9