I love everything about Thanksgiving. The kitchen is alive, with the aromas of favorite foods and clanging dishes building anticipation for the feast to come. Somewhere in the background, the low hum of a football game fights a losing battle against the sound of shared laughter and the ritual retelling of family stories. Each year, those tales drift a little further from the truth, but somehow, they’re funnier for it.
For those of us who follow Jesus, Thanksgiving carries a richness that stretches beyond a single Thursday in November. It’s not just about the meal, the traditions, or even the sentiment of gratitude itself — though all of that is wonderful. It’s a soul that embraces what Paul so simply said: “Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances.” Not because life is always easy or the table always full, but because we know the source of it all. God’s goodness doesn’t fluctuate with our circumstances, and that’s worth celebrating every day.
This year, Kim and I won’t be seated at the familiar table in the U.S. I know our hearts will ache a bit as we miss our family. I really don’t even want to think about it. However, our hearts will also overflow with gratitude, especially for you.
When we stepped into this journey 17 years ago, we never dreamed God would take us this far. Starting a preschool for 18 children living in a dumpsite on the other side of the world felt so big at the time, but now we see it for what it was — a small beginning in the hands of a limitless God.
He whispered into my heart in 2014 that He would make something beautiful from our humble beginnings, and He’s lived up to His word.
And now, looking at where we are, my gratitude grows. I’m thankful for your faithfulness, your flexibility, your patience, your prayers, and the wisdom you bring to this journey. As we’ve moved from the spiritual “milk” of those early days to the solid food of Gospel truth, your maturity has been inspiring.
I’m thankful for how you’ve stood with us, not just in the easy seasons but through the struggles — the betrayal, the heartbreak, the moments that nearly broke me. You never turned away. You embraced me, even in the hardest of times, and walked with me as I rose, strengthened by God’s grace. Your friendship, your belief in this mission, and your unwavering hope have carried us farther than we ever thought possible as together, we’ve faced the raw realities and spiritual darkness of extreme poverty.
One day, we will gather around the banquet table of the King Most High, our family complete. We won’t share fables or family stories; we will celebrate the powerful truth of lives lived for God, reflecting on the goodness done in His name for those whom the world has overlooked.
After two of the most challenging years of my life, I’m beginning to see God’s dreams again. The light we prayed for has pierced the darkness, and now it radiates hope and joy. It reminds me that He never stops working, even in the waiting.
Today, as we give thanks and celebrate how far we’ve come, I can’t help but look ahead. What started as 18 preschoolers has grown into a thriving learning center with 320 children, ages 5 to 14.
And 2025? It’s shaping up to be a year unlike any other. The plans we’re putting into motion now could have an impact we never imagined. Some developments feel natural, like the next step in our growth. Others are the kind of outrageous dreams that only God can envision.
I’ll share more about these plans next week. For now, let’s just say that the seeds planted today could change everything — for our students, their families, the entire community, and you. What’s coming will take the bold faith and courage that has carried us this far.
Happy Thanksgiving and may the God of peace equip you with all you need for doing His will. May He produce in you, through the power of Jesus Christ, every good thing that is pleasing to Him.