Giving Thanks……Counting Blessings........This should be our attitude each and everyday not just during the month of November.  Psalms 107:1 Give Thanks to the Lord, for He is Good; His love endures forever.

I was asked by one of my sons on Thanksgiving Day the traditional question that is usually asked by family and friends gathered around the Thanksgiving table, “So, what are you thankful for?”  My mind went blank and I blurted out the first thing that popped into my head. “You!” I said, and we both laughed.  But seriously, I started to reflect on the many ways we have been blessed even though this return to Uganda has come with many difficulties and struggles.

Many of you are aware (because we posted on Facebook) that we lost our little friend Benjamin.  It was a very difficult time for all of us here.  It was a loss that hurt deep!  But, we feel so thankful and blessed to have had the opportunity to know him, his smile, and his sweetness.  And God, in His wonderful way, has given us strength and a deeper love for each other and our cultural differences.

The school year ended here in November.  We were able to have Christmas parties for the children and the teachers at the school because of the gifts that were on the container.  Each child received a box of crayons, a pad of paper, along with a toy, a stuffed animal or a matchbox car.  To us it might not seem like a big deal, but to these little ones that have never had it, it was major EXCITEMENT and JOY!  One little P1 boy was shaking, with the biggest smile ever seen.  He could barely get out the words “a CAR”!  It was priceless!

We showed the ‘Jesus Film for children’ to 170 children in grades 3 thru 7.  The chapel was filled with children who had never seen a movie before.  All eyes and ears were glued to the screen, taking in every part they saw and heard.  At the close of the movie, the children in the film gave an invitation to pray and receive Jesus.  The chapel was filled with the hum of many of the children repeating the prayer with the movie.  It was obvious God was moving in this building filled with children.  When the movie ended, Bruce and Simon answered questions and then, with every head bowed, they all prayed.  The moment was priceless! 

We are so Thankful for God’s gifts to us! For family and friends who love and pray for us and His ministry!  For safety!  For God’s provisions!  Sewing machines!  Sunshine!  Rain!  When I actually started to list God’s blessings I ran out of space.  I needed more than a page!

We can get so caught up in work, ministry, and the many distractions that are a fact of life.  But, if each morning we reflect on just one of the blessings God has given us, we will have a heart and a notebook filled  with what we are Thankful for!

In Christ’s Amazing Love,

Bruce & Janine