Thanksgiving

Overall, I think we have been pretty thankful for the people and things in our lives. This year, however, our eyes have been opened to see how many of the common, everyday blessings have gone unnoticed in the past; how we have failed to give thanks to God for the richness of this life.

For instance, upon our arrival here at our language school, we discovered that East African drought conditions were causing seasonal water shortages. While in America, “water faucets” have always equated (in our minds) to running water. Living here has taught us that this is not actually one of the great, universal truths of life. For the first week, without rhyme or reason, the water would come… and then be gone for as long as a day or two. We frequently would turn on the faucet hoping for water, only to find black sludge or nothing at all.

Also, here in Tanzania, every couple of days we go without electricity for around eight hours at a time while the authorities oversee rolling blackouts as a way managing the country’s limited supply of electricity. Oh, and the internet has been down here on campus for around three weeks (which partly excuses our failure to post on this blog).

Now, before you start to feel sorry for us—or think that we are feeling sorry for ourselves, it should be said that we have taken all of this in stride and have even found the blessing in our new African circumstances. For, while the power is out, we sit under the dim light of candles without television. Ironically we feel thankful for the quiet, calm of an evening with nothing to distract us from the natural rhythm of the planet. Truth be told, I think it has brought us closer as a couple: we have found much more time for the simple things like games, conversation and sleep. Then when electricity has returned in the morning we are all the more aware of the blessing and then we celebrate when we are able (once again) to check the email.

Now that there have been a few rains in the mountains we have had much better access to water, but I will always remember the joy we felt the morning that we both woke up to warm showers. Never before has a shower brought such joy.

In summary, after two months in Africa our hearts have been opened to wonder what else we have been missing—asking how else have we been unknowingly blessed? We are sure it is much.

So, today we have a new realization of our gracious God who provides so much each day. Even as we are missing our friends and families at home this time of year; even as we are missing our daily showers and continuous power, we can have thankful hearts and wish you the same.

God’s richest blessings—may our eyes be opened to see them more clearly,
Josh and Sue