Thanksgiving

It's a busy week here with the Presbyterians upstairs and ITES using the main conference room in the evenings. And this weekend the ladies from the Evangelical Church of Dakar (EED) are having a retreat while the Presbyterian guys are back in the village for a break.

But somehow Herve and the staff squeezed us in Thursday afternoon for our traditional UWM and friends Thanksgiving bash! Kathy D. did her normal outstanding job of organizing all the details. We splurged again and she found us turkeys ($4 per pound!!), raised locally since the avian flu scare has led to a ban of all imports. Along with loads of stuffing, mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes and desserts galore that everyone brought, we had more than enough to eat!!!

Rodney led us in a time of singing and sharing. Lots of folks reflected on the blessings of this last year. Jose and France-Lise are excited to be first-time grandparents. Ianis and his wife have had a little one up in France. Jane talked about the unexpected blessing of having a family member living here in our neighborhood for the first time in our life together. My niece, Gretchen, a PhD student at the University of Chicago, has moved to Dakar for a couple years and has a place just over the hill in Ouakam! Bill E. praised God for 24 years of marriage to Becky, through thick and thin (and evacuation from a civil war!). Many others shared their thoughts, too.

Then Rodney, as our UWM area leader, gave out some service certificates and gifts. Jane and I received one for 15 years with the Mission. Bill and Becky did for 25 years. Noel M., our newest member, got a surprise box with goodies from the States, just to encourage her.

It was a wonderful time together enjoying each other and remembering a bit of what God has done for us this last year.