Thanksgiving day

Thanksgiving day...

This month, it is Thanksgiving day in The Netherlands. It's in the name already: THANKSgiving. We give thanks for all the gifts God gave us. The crops on the fields, the fruits on the trees, health and power to do our work.

There are many reasons to give thanks to the Lord. Also, as For a Change foundation we are grateful. This year, the Foundation celebrates its 5th birthday. A lot has happened in the past years. We received a lot of blessings. We received fieldworkers who may do the beautiful, but also hard work in Malawi according to their calling. We received sponsors and volunteers, the Foundation is growing, and a lot of work is being done.

Thanksgiving day...

In Malawi, there is not a specific thanksgiving day, but the people still have a thanksgiving day, or better: days. How is that possible? you might think. Those people have so little compared to us, they do not have houses, but shacks, simple and not enough food, the health care is of bad quality...and still giving thanks?

Yes, it is possible! The people are happy with the little they have. They even share the little they have!

The people know that the Lord will provide in all circumstances they live in. Whether it is during dry times or in times of heavy rains, they know that the Lord does not forget them. He is there, also when there are days they do not see or feel it. Even in times of sadness and suffering we do not have to be afraid, because we may know that God is there too. Day by day He carries us. If you may give thanks to the Lord this way, it does not matter where you live. Whether it is in The Netherlands, Malawi, or somewhere else. If we trust in the Lord, we will be happy and grateful for all the gifts He gives us.

Now thank we all our God,

with heart and hands and voices,

Who wondrous things has done,

in Whom this world rejoices;

Who from our mothers’ arms

has blessed us on our way

With countless gifts of love,

and still is ours today.

O may this bounteous God

through all our life be near us,

With ever joyful hearts

and blessed peace to cheer us;

And keep us in His grace,

and guide us when perplexed;

And free us from all ills,

in this world and the next!

All praise and thanks to God

the Father now be given;

The Son and Him Who reigns

with Them in highest Heaven;

The one eternal God,

whom earth and Heaven adore;

For thus it was, is now,

and shall be evermore.