A
REASON FOR GRATITUDE
What does Africa mean
to you? I grew up thinking of the jungle teeming with lions, elephants,
apes, warrior tribes and Tarzan beating his chest. Of course current unrest
in that continent have muddied my initial perception. Now I think of malnourished
homeless kids, vast savannas, National Geographic photographers with their
telescopic lenses, warlords, and gangs waiting to chop your head off.
So why this sudden fascination for Africa? I might be going there next
Wednesday!
A
few years ago I joined the Trepmakers
--- a group of Rotarian businessmen bent on teaching kids to become entrepreneurs.
We don't help kids find a job ... we help them create them! Statistics
show that one entrepreneur hires an average of 5 people. We spread the
Trep spirit internationally as well. Last year we taught about 5,000 African
students. This year 3 of our group were set to leave next week. 2 nights
ago John called and told me one of their group could not go. He asked
if I could go instead. My mind raced to my current workload. Could I finish
my work? Could I shift my appointments? Should I pass the adventure of
a lifetime? John said we needed to move fast because there were several
documents that needed to be processed. There was no time to pray about
it so I told John if God wants me to go He would clear the way.
Everything seemed to be going smoothly until the last minute. I was supposed
to "overnight" my documents but I missed the pickup time. So
here I sit waiting and hoping that despite the delay, brought on by the
Thanksgiving holiday, that my papers will get done before I leave. Whether
I go or not, I am already thankful for being even considered.
Thanksgiving day --- a day we give thanks for gifts (deserved and unmerited)
as well as gifts that never made it to our doorstep.
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Wisdom
from Tom of Pasadena, CA 
The One who loves you will never leave you because even if there
are 100 reasons to give up, he will find one reason to hold on.
Thanks
to this week's winners:
Tom and Art of Pasadena; Rodney of Manitoba.
Do not be
anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition,
with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. --- Philippians
4:6
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