So Much To Be Thankful For.

While many of my close friends may know that "Grinch Megan" often surfaces around the winter holidays, it may also be common knowledge that Thanksgiving is my FAVORITE holiday. 

And this year was no different. 

Here are a few reasons I love Thanksgiving:

I love food. I love being reminded to be thankful. I love being with people I care about. I love dining with friends. I love eating food. I love knowing I am surrounded by people who care about me. I love eating. 

This year was a special treat. Our whole house was invited to the worship director at our church's house for dinner. We not only got to eat delicious food, we also got to meet her generous family, caring mother, and hilarious and friendly mother-in-law. It was such a blessing. 

In the short time I have been here in Philly, I am already noticing all the little things I am blessed with and thankful for. 

I hope your holidays were delicious. 

I LOVE: you.

I LOVE:

.. north Philly.

..the beauty in the midst of the brokenness of my neighborhood.

..the Golden Dragon.

..receiving leaves to put in my hair from neighborhood kids.

..impromptu late night epic roommate bonding sessions in the kitchen.

..getting snail mail from people I love.

..having communion as a community and committing to each other and this year together.

..witnessing things lost being found.

..the Giants. And my father.

..learning from neighbors.

..seeing this city at night. And the people who live here.

..witnessing a dear friend find beauty and joy in the little things.

..silliness. (awesomeness) 

..sleepovers. Brought on by Sandy (Frankenstorm).

..us. 

..them.

I love many things.  I love learning and growing. I love being pushed and stretched. I love seeing God protect and provide for me in the moments that I am most fearful, uncomfortable, and weak.  I love knowing that I am loved. And that I am cable of love because God is so gracious to us.  I LOVE everyone who prays and supports me and my team.  

I love ..you. 

PRAISE. 

Touring the City; SEPTA day.

Last week we spent a day getting comfortable with public transportation and got to visit a bunch of different places around the city. 

Here are a few pictures from the day! 

Liberty Bell

Benjamin Franklin Bridge (to New Jersey)

City Hall

Art Museum/ Rocky Statue 

Basically we are really awesome. 

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Prayer

• We all start work at our service sites on Monday, so prayer for calm nerves and good first impressions would be greatly appreciated.
• Also prayer for safety and a good sense of direction so that we do not get lost as we travel alone on public transportation for the first time. 
• Constant prayer for us as a community as we continue to learn how to relate to one another.
• Prayer for our neighborhood and church as we try to integrate ourselves into their existing communities. 
• Prayer for rest. 

The Bush.

I spent the last few days out in the bush.

We got a flat tire.

We were stranded on the side of the road in the middle of no where in the middle of Burkina.

We drove for hours.

We helped a local Pastor set up posts for a roof for a church.

We slept under the stars.

We saw God at work in a dark place.

We witnessed a young man give up everything in his community to follow Jesus and work with us.

We worked hard.

We were in awe.

We were tired.

We loved much.

We left with much to think about.

flat tire.

big baobab tree.

the church.

digging.

the pastor.

the group.

One of God's many gifts: the sky.

The Dorcas House

On Thursday the team also had the privilege to go visit the young women at the Dorcas House. The Dorcas House is a place young women live for a year and learn about God as well as different trades and skills that will help them have a stable future. They learn how to raise livestock, sew and make clothing, make soap, and run a mill. This social enterprise aims to educate and train the young marginalized women of society is current semi-depenant on the local church but aims to be self-suffienct eventually.

The team brought a quilt for each of the young women.

Sewing.

Soap.

Clothes.

Goats.

Mill.

Compassion International

On Thursday we went to a Compassion site.

We played games.

Duck, Duck, Goose.

Steal the bacon.

Elephant.

Tug of war (no rope necessary).

Breakfast.

Faces.

Compassion International increases a child's life expectancy here in Burkina Faso significantly. They partner with local churches and are located near youth centers. They feed, play, encourage, teach, and share about Jesus with these young children once a week.

Compassion