Last week for the kids Bible. I had them pick out a verse that has to do with thanksgiving and then tell me why they chose that verse. Lucy's verse was 1 Thessalonians 5:18, I am going to start just before that in verse 16. "Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is what God's will for you in Christ." When she chose this verse I knew that it was going to be the focuse of my week.

I have to admit that last week was hard. It was thanksgiving week. A week of preparing for an American holiday and a day that you spend with your family. I have to say that in my whole time here it has been hard and I have been homesick as expected but it wasn't until Thursday that all I wanted to do was go home. This is when I had to remember the verse.

Be joyful! I am with a fantastic family who knows how to celebrate national American holidays where ever they are. We had friends over that are so amazing in what they do and what they have deticated their lives to doing. i had the chance to talk with them and learn their family's traditions. One couple grew up in Brazil going to boarding school. Their memories of Thanksgiving are in a cafiteria with their friends and teachers. It was so fun to campare memories and learn how to celebrate our thanksgiving differently then we have before.

Pray continually! If I learn nothing other then this, which I know is imposible, I know I have come a long way. I have realized how pwoerful God is not nessisarily what he does but who He is and the presents he has in my life. He is always here. It is one of those things you need to experience. You can believe it is true and trust Him because He says He is here and he always keeps His promises but wow to experience it first hand is encredible. This amazing sence of pease and over whelming love comes over and I feel like I can make it through the day again! Prayer is the best way I know to make God a part of every minute!

Give thanks in all circumstances because it is the will of God! That could not have been stated any more directly. As a Christian, you strive to live a life pleasing God. Focusing on Him and what he wants you to do with your life. It seems as though he would like us to give thanks no mater where we are or what we are being asked to do. God provides in all places, in all times, so why not give thanks. I love thanksgiving for this. It is an amazing reminder of all the things to be thankful for. Just to thank Him for His presents, if that is all you have, is enough to get through the day.

So, that is what I learned this last week. On the day after Thanksgiving we headed out for Ilha, our favorite place to be. It was just as beautiful this time as every other. One of my firends, Ashlie,came with us. She was here for 2 months and had not left Nampula, she had not seen the Indian Ocean so I invited her to come with us. You should never come to Mozambique and not see the ocean. That is the most beautiful part of this country since there are no animals to see. I know, I thought that was wierd too. Back to Ashlie, it was really fun to have a friend with me. She was so amazed to see what she did and to experience it. It was my 3rd time there so I am more used to it. We took a walk so I could show her the beach and some of the homes. On Saturday we took the kids to the history museum. That is what the pictures are from. It is a house that hey redid and have many items that the kings of Portugal used as well as the first president of Mozambique. This island is so full of history you have to sit down and study it and then go experience it.

After the museum I went to pick up the dress I had made. It almost fits. It is acutally pretty good for a guy who didn't take any measurments he just had seen me once or twice. I may have to do some adjustments on it but over all it is nice. We left for home on Sunday and were back before dark. Ashlie left for the States on Tuesday. I am so happy that I have made many friends here. Especially Ashlie, she is a great person to sit down with and have a nice long chat!

Now it is on to live the next week that God has planned. Thanks for all your prayers and words of encouragement. I will write again soon!