I hope this newsletter finds you
and your loved ones gathered together at the start of this holiday season. By
this point you’ve likely just stuffed yourselves with enough “appetizers” to
constitute a day’s worth of meals, plenty of turkey, green bean casserole (or
hot dish as we Minnesotans properly call it) and plenty of pumpkin or pecan pie.
Don’t worry though if there were too many options for your plate because
Grandma won’t let you leave empty handed. As you read, this we at The Farm are
enjoying quite the Thanksgiving feast as a way of sharing a bit of our own
culture and all that we are grateful for with our incredible family here. Back
home I imagine (at least my family) is about to fall into a turkey induced
coma, but to ward that off, some will find themselves in front of the football
game, some will clear the table for an hour long game of Phase 10 or Farkle
while others will give in to the need for a long winter’s nap.
For many across the nation the
clock is ticking down to the midnight shotgun start to the Christmas shopping
season. Actually, let’s be real… the most hard core door busters have already
hit the online sales and taken advantage of the shops that no longer close on
this day of giving thanks. It brings back memories of “people watching” at the
Mall of America on Black Friday. That, my friends, is true madness in its
finest form. This year I can gladly say all of this very light heartedly and
very much removed while better reflecting on what Thanksgiving truly means.
As a
“newbie” here at The Finca it is pretty easy to see all for which I can be
thankful. The second we stepped out of the car at The Finca we were instantly
adopted into this huge family without a second thought. I am thankful for each
of the children who without even knowing my name ran up and threw their arms
around me. I am thankful for the community kids at school especially the one
little boy who scowls because he doesn’t want me to be his new teacher, but
then smiles, laughs and lets down that barrier when we start playing Bingo. I
am thankful for late night theological debates, being lulled to sleep by the
Caribbean crashing on the shore, and being so far out in the middle of nowhere
that the moon and stars actually have a chance to be the brightest lights in
the night sky.
It should
go without saying, but should never go unsaid that I am most grateful for my
family and friends who are all so near and dear to my heart. I am so thankful
for all those who have helped me decide to come here and continue to support all
of us spiritually and financially. I am grateful for all the blessings bestowed
on those I love this year and the hardships that make us stronger. That is only
a beginning, but I hope on this Thanksgiving Day you too will take time to
count your blessings.
What would
this article be though without hearing from our kids? I wanted to know what
some of them are thankful for in the past year. Here’s what they had to say:
I am thankful for:
“For my life, for the entire Finca, for my entire family, my
siblings, the new missionaries, and for everything.” – Rosa Elena, 9
“Food, our donors, my house, my family, the missionaries,
our siblings, for The Finca because it gives us life.” – Cati, 7 & Seidy, 8
“Our donors, food, and God who cares for me.” – Brittani, 7
“For food that is given to us each day, good health, a
tranquil home and for all God’s blessings.” – Nahomi, 13
“For life and being at The Finca.” – Darwin , 10
“For receiving good grades in school.” – Jose Manuel, 10
“For passing 4th grade.” – Jose Pastor, 9
“For soccer, for having a home and family, for everything.”
– Cesar, 14
“For my studies, for reaching my goal of being a soccer
player.” – Duncan ,
12
“I give thanks for my benefactors and pray that God blesses
and keeps them.” – Dorfa, 10
“I am thankful for graduating 6th grade this
year, all the support of The Farm, education and the ways I am shown to love
others.” – Jennifer, 12
“For food, a home, our friends and for seeing a new dawn.” –
Nelsy, 12
“I am thankful to the Farm for teaching us about God” –
Miriam, 14
“For having a new experience in Phase II, sharing my time
with Mary Kate and Nils, and for being in a good school.” – Nelly, 17
I hope that amid the beginning of a
hectic holiday season, your Thanksgiving is filled with lots of good food, friends,
family and fun. Here at The Finca we continue to give thanks daily for each and
everyone of you reading these articles, sharing our stories with friends and
family, praying for and/or financially supporting the mission, and the millions
of other seen and unseen ways you continue to support us. It is my hope that in
giving thanks for all your blessings of the past year (and before you rack up
any credit card debt this holiday season) you will keep in mind the needs of
The Finca as well.
In the coming year I pray that God
may bring you and yours many continued blessings as we prepare to celebrate
Christ’s birthday. Never forget the true reason for the season!
Blessings,
Katherine Cross
