Happy Thanksgiving a world away!

What a joy it is to reflect back on our trip and all that we have to be thankful for. Today is our last full day in Congo. We will be flying to Uganda tomorrow to stay until our plane leaves Sunday for Amsterdam and then on to Seattle and then Spokane. Our trip has been more than we could have ever imagined. So many great memories, some not so great, but God has been so very good to us.

"Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you." 1 Thess. 5:18

Things here have been pretty busy over the past week. Emily had the opportunity to go to an African wedding. It was a lot of fun to experience the style of the wedding ceremonies here and the joyful way they celebrate. We were also able to have a couple wonderful evenings with the national neighbors that live behind the house. They came over for an american meal and then we joined them for a great African feast. The food was very good and the company even better. Things at the airport have been busy as well. Three Food tents were transported up to Dungu (in 6 full round trip flights) to start food distribution centers and help feed the people there. Thank you to all who were praying for food for those people. God is answering. Caleb was able to go on a few flights transporting relief agencies, missionaries, sick people, pastors and government workers.

"I will praise the name of God with a song; I will magnify him with thanksgiving." Psalm 69:30

Today we had a great Thanksgiving celebration. All the Americans came over to the Stritzels for a wonderful meal. We were even able to get a turkey here in Bunia, although once all the feathers were off, it was only 3 1/2 pounds including the bones, so we had chicken as well to supplement. We even got to watch the butchering right outside the back door. It is hard to believe it is already this time of year since the temperature rarely gets below 70 here. It will be quite the wake up call to get off the plane back home to a cold december! We have been greatly blessed and have so much to be thankful for. Our health, protection, friends and family that have been so faithfully praying, and most of all our great salvation. God is so good.

"Therefore we must pay much closer attention to what we have heard, lest we drift away from it. For...how shall we escape if we neglect such a great salvation?" Hebrews 2:1,3

This will most likely be our last post from Africa. We will probably have one more with final thoughts and reactions once we return to the states. Please pray for travel mercies, luggage connections, etc. We can't wait to see many of you in the coming days and weeks. We will be in Spokane for a little while before heading back to Michigan for Christmas and New Years. We would love to share our experiences in more detail with those who are interested - just let us know!