Thanksgiving is just around the corner. It’s never too early to start being thankful.
Taking L. to get her two month immunizations reminded me to be thankful for medicine! I have a family member who suffered from polio as a child. Many of the Bolivian children we work with routinely face serious health threats (some 80% of kids in El Alto are anemic). So many kids around the world don’t get live-saving, cheap medication and vaccines. I thank God for the scientists, lab testers, fund-raisers, doctors, field workers, politicians and health advocates who have helped us turn back the curse of sin in this world. And in this thankfulness is a reminder that we are to be God’s hands and feet of restoration.
We also took L. to the 17th annual CraneFestival in rural Michigan to watch Sandhill Cranes on their migration south. I was thankful to God for displaying His beauty in Creation for her to see. Thousands of these majestic, five-foot tall birds soared into the swampy plain after a day of foraging, joining their voices in an other-worldly call. I recalled Psalm 50 from my prayers earlier that week:
For all the animals of the forest are mine, and I own the cattle on a thousand hills.
I know every bird on the mountains, and all the animals of the field are mine.
Even though we are away from our official work duties for now, we’re thankful for the work that we have. Becky works tirelessly to feed, dress, and clean L.. I (Adam) have been trying to stay on top of making meals and running to the pharmacy. I’ve also helped out with set-up and tear-down at the local farmers’ market, as well picking up a few substitute teaching assignments at Becky’s mother’s K-8 school. Both overworking and unemployment are not in God’s plan. Caring for the earth and each other, in cycles of exertion and reflection, is exactly what he intended for our souls and bodies.
Underlying all this thankfulness for the people and roles and things in my life is a reminder that we are to be God’s hands and feet of restoration in the world. Thankfulness is good in itself, but it is not an ending point. It is tied together in an unending cycle with action (what some have called a rhythm of action/contemplation). Seeing my access to good healthcare shouldn’t make me feel guilty. It should motivate me to help the 8 million U.S. kids without health insurance to find proper care. Likewise, soaking in the natural beauty of a Michigan autumn should inspire me to support development in the Amazon and the Andes that improves people’s well-being while preserving and protecting the beauty of God’s artwork (Creation).
Prayer Requests
*Continue to pray for our travel plans. We are still seeking out medical advice and working on the details of transitioning back to life in Bolivia.
From a thankful trio,
-Adam, Becky, and L.