Last night, we celebrated Thanksgiving (a day late due to scheduling conflict) with our missionary friends here in Canillá.  I have had some awesome Thanksgiving dinners in my lifetime but I think this one won.  There were two turkeys (not the ones shown below), Areli brought sweet potato casserole using sweet potatoes from Mexico, and everyone brought all of the other delicious fixings.  After dinner, we had an awesome time of worship to the One to whom we are thankful. 

 

Even though we haven’t been here for over a year-and-a-half, it seems like we just picked up where we left off with the people we have known.  And we got to meet some new people.  In some ways, things have moved forward and in other ways, they are just like the good-old days.  

 

 

 

 

I will summarize some of the details of our trip here in the words of thankfulness below.  Note that this side of heaven, things are not yet perfect, but God can work through all them to his praise and glory.

 

 “…give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.”

                                                                                                  --1 Thessalonians 5:18.

 

We are thankful for:

--Our wonderful time in Mexico City with family and friends.

--God’s allowing us to come to Guatemala.

--The runway damage at the Guatemala airport that caused us to be temporarily diverted to Chiapas.

--The Subway restaurant (the only restaurant) in the airport in Chiapas.

--The late arrival in Guatemala that caused us to miss our flight to Canillá.

--Our friends who recommended Dos Lunas, a wonderful bed and breakfast near the Guatemala airport.

--A safe and awesome flight to Canillá the next morning.

--Economical cell phone and internet service that gave us 2.5 gigs for the month even though it says it includes 5 gigs (more than enough for the time we are here).

--A wonderful place to stay in Canillá.

--A 21-step commute from my door to the hospital (yes, I just measured the steps for this post).

--A water heater that gives us 3-4 minutes of hot water before it turns off.

--The water heater turning on again after letting it sit a few minutes.

 

Also, we are SOOOOO thankful for God’s protection of our friends—a father and son who rolled down a mountain in their SUV this week and walked away from it.  It was especially great to celebrate Thanksgiving dinner with them.  Read more here.

 

Most importantly, we are thankful for forgiveness of sins and eternal life through Jesus Christ.  And for our family and loved ones, God’s provision, health, and so many other things. 

 

May the Lord help us to give thanks in all circumstances.