Giving Thanks

We’re celebrating Thanksgiving here in Bundibugyo early, since we’ll be traveling to Kampala on Thursday. While spending holidays away from home can be hard, I am trying to focus on the many unique aspects of celebrating my first Thanksgiving in Uganda!

#1 and most importantly:

I met the turkey we’ll be eating today while it was still living. It’s true. She didn’t seem particularly bothered, laying in the grass with her feet tied. I think if she had known what was coming, she would have been a bit more lively.

Webhale Yesu (Thank you Jesus) that there is one, brave man left on our small team. While I participated in another way, as you’ll see, I did not have to kill the turkey or two small chickens we’ll be feasting on this afternoon. Loren, brave pioneer woman that she is, was willing to hold it down for John—three cheers for her!

While I did not help with the actual slaughtering, I did find myself plucking two very fresh chickens and one small turkey. Can’t say that I ever planned on doing that but I can now add it to my list of “Things Accomplished in Uganda”. And if you ever find yourself in need of direction on plucking poultry, I am now qualified :)

#2:

Making pumpkin pie from a real pumpkin! I can’t say I’ve ever made a pumpkin pie, let alone from scratch, but I think it turned out well. I’m also so thankful that I was able to get all the ingredients for green bean casserole—an absolute essential for my personal Thanksgiving traditions. It is amazing what familiar foods can do to boost morale!

#3:

Explaining to my Ugandan friends what this strange American holiday called “Thanksgiving” really is. I think I’ve found the holiday more meaningful as I’ve been forced to stop and actually explain why we’re celebrating.

While I’ve been here in Bundibugyo, I’ve been trying to regularly list the things I’m thankful for from the day. It is easy to become discouraged, focused on negatives, and mired in self-pity. But I’ve found that listing ways God has blessed me in the past 24 hours is a real boost in the right direction. So here are just a few for this (early) Thanksgiving day:

• Going for a run this morning while the streets were still quiet and watching the sun rise over the beautiful Rwenzori Mountains—definitely the most beautiful place I’ve ever taken a morning jog!
• The wonder of the internet’s capabilities to keep in touch with loved ones from home, even in rural Bundibugyo!
• Looking forward to my first trip to Kampala, a taste of the outside world, and the return of Anna and the Johnsons in less than 2 weeks!
• Delicious food to feast upon, the means to buy it, and tastes of home on this very American holiday.
• A team to celebrate with that is becoming my second family and Ugandan friends to share our traditions with.
• A wonderfully supportive and loving family at home in America.
• A Savior that has the power to transform lives, bring us from darkness to light, loves us unconditionally, and is faithful to bless us each new day.