We have so much to be thankful for as a family this Thanksgiving! God has so generously provided for all our needs as we have started a new life in a new country. We are so thankful for our home, for new friends, and such meaningful jobs and ministries. For me in particular: plentiful patients at CURE, all the medications and supplies that we need to treat these patients, and a team of incredible nurses and anesthesia providers to serve with. For Chris: students who are eager to learn and think and interact with new ways of thinking and a great church at home who supports us in so many ways. For the kids: good friends, living on a compound with 30 kids, a new kitten, great teachers, and a wonderful new school where they feel at home. We are thankful for feeling more and more at home in our new country and having our every need provided for so generously by our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. He has often provided in ways that were above our expectations.

King David expresses our thankful hearts well:

¹⁰ David praised the LORD in the presence of the whole assembly, saying,
“Praise be to you, O LORD, God of our father Israel, from everlasting to everlasting.
¹¹ Yours, O LORD, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the majesty and the splendor, for everything in heaven and earth is yours.Yours, O LORD, is the kingdom; you are exalted as head over all.
¹² Wealth and honor come from you; you are the ruler of all things.
In your hands are strength and power to exalt and give strength to all.
¹³ Now, our God, we give you thanks, and praise your glorious name.
¹⁴ But who am I, and who are my people, that we should be able to give as generously as this?
Everything comes from you, and we have given you only what comes from your hand.”

1 Chronicles 29:10-14

We had a Thanksgiving gathering on our compound this weekend with over 100 people. It was a wonderful time of giving thanks to God as a community and a great opportunity to share and explain this American holiday with friends from all over the world.

Originally posted at: http://ethiopia.thebernards.org/2011/11/27/giving-thanks/.