Nov.
21, 2001
Well, Thanksgiving is upon us and we have so much
for which to be thankful! First, and foremost, I am thankful because our
wonderful Lord makes our many blessings possible through His great love and
grace upon us. Where would we be
without Jesus? How can we face
tomorrow with all of its uncertainties, unless we know and trust the One who
holds those tomorrows? I am so
thankful that He does hold both them and us in the palm of His hand!
Secondly, I am thankful for our family, friends, and all of our ministry
partners who make what we do possible. Thank
you so much! Lastly, I am thankful
for this great and glorious land in which we live and for the freedoms that we
cherish.
In
a side note, Josh McDowell and his ministry team were in Lancaster, Pa. holding
his annual October warehouse convention, preparing for his upcoming carelift
program. Tom and I had the
opportunity to go up there and see some old friends and fellowship together. It
was a blessing. (You may recall,
Tom was first introduced to Belarus through a Carelift crusade!)
As you know, I was scheduled to go to Ukraine Sept. 16, but due to our
National Crisis on Sept. 11, I had to postpone the trip.
I had tentative plans to go right after Thanksgiving, but have not had a
clear green light from the Lord. Also,
the region just south of where I go, experienced its first major snow storm this
week, and two of the villages were without power.
Most of my transportation around the towns and villages is on foot, but
to go between villages, I travel by their "micro bus," which is really
a mini van that has been outfitted to seat about 20 people.
(The drivers in general often travel at high speeds that greatly test
your faith!) So, I will now wait
until Spring for better traveling weather.
To all of you who donated money for my trip, I thank you from the bottom
of my heart. The money is being
safely held in escrow against next year’s trip.
Even
though I will not be going over this year, our letters and packages still are!
We've shipped at least 12 parcels to Ukraine alone this year!
We have sent everything from books to school supplies, clothing, shoes,
and enough toothpaste and toothbrushes for 135 children!
Also, “Christmas” is on its way to 118 children in two orphanages,
one in Belarus and one in Ukraine!
Our winter project is on two fronts: nutrition and clothing.
I would like you to consider designating December for actively collecting
kid’s mittens, hats and chewable multi-vitamins.
These items will keep them warm and fortified, helping them to face the
harsh winter months. Perhaps you
can speak to someone at your church, or at home group, or even your friends and
co-workers. Make it a group
project! I have had dentists in my
hometown donate toothpaste. Maybe
you know of some pediatricians or other health care professionals who would like
to bless our orphans! If we each do
a little, and invite at least one other person to share in the joy, we will be
able to clothe and supplement three orphanages, which house 170 children ages 2
to 15 years old. The majority of these children are between 6- 9 years old.
510 bottles of vitamins are a full 3 months supply, or 6 months if they
only give them out 4 times a week. Vitamins!
This is an unheard of luxury for most of these kids, but very much a
necessity, given their situations.
You
may send donations to us at our P.O. Box, or, for those who are local to us,
just call us at 410-392-0674 and we will make arrangements to pick up your
collections in our NEW used van that God has blessed us with!
It's a 1987 Dodge van that seated 15, but we removed the seats and now it
is used for collecting and hauling the gifts of love you give!
As you sit down together this Thanksgiving, look around into the faces of those you hold dear, feel the warmth of the moment, and enjoy the fact that you have food, friends and a warm place with electricity that is working! Remember our forefathers had neither an abundance of food, nor the comforts that we do, but they chose to praise and thank God for the gift of life and freedom to worship Him! There are those today who do not know Him, those who do not have that freedom of worship, as well as those who simply do not HAVE…
Indeed, we are most grateful, Lord, for all that You have bestowed.
We ask that You be with those who are less fortunate.
Fill the Hungry. Be with and
comfort those separated from their loved ones, or who have lost a loved one.
Be with the lost, the lonely, the outcast and lift them up and set them
in families. Bless our President
and our troops and our Nation this Thanksgiving with Your Presence and peace.
For all we have, and all that we are believing for, we thank you and we
bless your Holy Name.
Maybe you remember the old Hymn, "Count your Blessings”?
Part of it goes like this: "When
upon life’s billows you are tempest tossed, When you are discouraged, thinking
all is lost, Count your many blessings, name them one by one, And it will
surprise you what the Lord hath done. Count your blessings, name them one by
one…Count your many blessings see what God has done!”
Please know that you count as one of our blessings!
I will leave you with a quote from Mother Theresa, "Let’s do
something beautiful for God." May
His Blessings be yours this Thanksgiving.
Love,
Nancy and Tom