Chibaak!  Happy Thanksgiving!

Aluel (Kristi) here.  We are still having busy days from morning to night, and thankfully it was slightly cooler today (92).  Kristina, Natasha and I are working daily in the medical clinic alongside the staff here.  They have been very helpful showing us how their system works, and interpreting for us.  Since we are into our second week, we have developed a camaraderie working together which makes ours difficult days and situations such a joy.  We have helped with some of the organization of medical supplies, (I know, you’re surprised), but there is still a whole storeroom of supplies awaiting.  Yesterday, as I was talking to Peter the pharmacist, I was leaning on the dutch door counter to the pharmacy with a lovely Sudanese woman next to me, when she began pointing to my arm and asking Peter questions.  I thought perhaps she was remarking about my watch; I asked Peter what she was saying…She wanted to know if my skin keeps looking like this even in the ‘dry season’ which is the hot dry summer.  We all laughed as I answered “yes, always this white”, it never gets the same expresso black as these beautiful people.”  

This morning I shared my story in the devotion time, and I am thankful for God’s faithfulness and peace as I have never shared this in front of so many before.  “Blessed are those who trust in the LORD and have made the LORD their hope and confidence.”  Jer 17:7.  You are not going to believe this, but unbeknownst to us, Suzy arranged for a Thanksgiving turkey to come in on the plane with us last week!  Yep, she had to order one from Kenya!  Well, the actual day on which to celebrate Thanksgiving in Tonj Sudan is determined by the thawing of the turkey, what with solar fridges and such…so today was the day!  This was the first time they have ever done this here, and what an incredible day of many hands working together to do the work on the compound, in the medical clinic, and preparing and cooking all at the same time.  Amazingly, it was completely stress free, making a Thanksgiving dinner for 24 out here in the middle of Africa.  The lovely sharing of how to pull together a Thanksgiving was a great joining of all ages and experiences; some have made many a thanksgiving dinner, some have eaten plenty but never been able to be part of the preparations, some used their family recipes, and even new recipes from the internet.  The  excitement and joy was felt by all throughout the day as we reported the progress of the turkey.  We had a 22 lb turkey, stuffing made from Tonj bread, sweet potato casserole complete with marshmellos on top, mashed potatoes, green beans, julienned carrots, gravy and pumpkin pie from fresh pumpkins here.  It was completely surreal yet natural to be doing things in the clinic that I’d best not mention in detail, and wander over to take the turkey out of the oven to baste it with a giant syringe from the clinic (a CLEAN one, I promise).  Since the oven is sitting outside next to a shed, it was quite handy.  We also used the charcoal oven to bake the pies and stuffing.  It was a joyful day of giving thanks, ending with a devotion around the campfire, worship, and everyone sharing specific things they are thankful for over the past year.  We then had communion together after Dave and Leo shared; what a blessed time.  As I looked around at our gathering, I realized there were only six Americans there, and many others from Sudan, Uganda, Kenya, Australia, England; what an amazing gathering of brothers and sisters in Christ.  How many times will we ever have a Thanksgiving like this?  Bless you all for your day of Thanksgiving, may you also remember what you are most thankful for!