In Everything Give Thanks!

After serving Thanksgiving dinner to more than 450 people, it's time to reflect and give thanks. So many people in our community gave generously to make this special dinner possible! Our dinner guests, many of whom were homeless, were very thankful for the delicious meal they were served.



Nearly 100 volunteers helped prepare and serve the meals. We heard many comments from the volunteers about how meaningful it was for them to serve. Some volunteers had given financial support for years but had not volunteered until now. One couple I spoke to expects to become regular volunteers next year.



About 45 minutes before meals were served, we had a full group seated in the dining room for a short praise and worship service. We read Psalm 100, a portion of Psalm 107, Romans 8:28, Phillipians 2:13, and Phillipians 4:6-7. We sang How Great Thou Art and To God Be The Glory. I shared the need for God's people to rejoice always, pray continually, and thank God in every situation. Several guests gave their testimony, and the Gospel was shared. I'm thankful that the crowd was engaged in this time of worship, and I believe God was glorified.



I was also blessed to see a former employee, Lindsey, who left the mission to pursue her Masters degree at the University of Chicago. Also, Jonathan blessed us by answering a last minute request to come and play the guitar to help entertain our guests.



Although my wife, Becky, who coordinates this wonderful event, and I were quite tired after the dinner was over, it was definitely a good kind of being tired.



During this season of thanks, I hope you too will recount all the ways God has blessed you and your family. I have found that when you practice being thankful to God, you will be filled with joy. This is my prayer for you as well. God bless you!!!