Happy Thanksgiving!

Happy Turkey Day to everyone in the States! I hope you've all had good food and good football. We've had a great day! This morning, many of us woke up early for a boys versus girls game of volleyball, because we haven't had daylight to play yet! No better way to celebrate Thanksgiving than sports with good friends.

We got SO much done on the house today. We almost finished the roof (it would be completely done, but we ran out of shingles) and it is completely painted except for one overhang. We got a chance today to pray over pastor Garcia and his wife, who are the recipients of the house. It was amazing to hear today that they have been patiently waiting 3 YEARS for this house to be finished. I can't imagine have patience or faith like that. I know it was meaningful for them to see it so close to finished, and it was powerful for us to have a role in that.

This afternoon at VBS was bittersweet. It was by far the best day we've had with those kids, but so hard to say goodbye. As we drove off, many waved at the vans and asked to come home with us. Our craft this afternoon is by far my favorite; at the beginning of the afternoon, we take their picture and then print it on a portable photo printer. They make and decorate frames and we give them their picture. For some of them, it's the first picture they've ever had of themselves. When they get their photo, I can't think of a gift that would mean more to them than a picture. It's so hard to say goodbye to them and have to wait another year to come see how much they've grown.

We are about to have a real Thanksgiving dinner...the program director crossed the border and got turkey for us! I'm excited to surprise our students with that...they think we're having beans and tortillas. Which will probably also be served with the turkey...

Thank you so much for your prayer! We should be across the border around 5 pm tomorrow and arrive at Richfield Community Church around 7:30. I'll most likely be posting on the blog around 8 pm, a little later than usual. Hope all is well back home and that you're all sitting around, stuffed, contemplating another piece of pie. If anyone has an extra slice of pumpkin, eat it for me.

--Brendan