The Thanksgiving Feast

What a refreshing perspective it was!  When asked, “How are you today?” the man at the Sam’s checkout line simply responded, “Infinitely better than I deserve.”  And isn’t that the truth for all of us, really? Aren’t we ALL—no matter the difficulties we are facing, no matter the pain we are experiencing—immeasurably blessed beyond what we deserve? It boils down to our perspective, or as some would say the “lens” through which we view everything. God has lavished His kindness upon us, and some have the eyes to recognize it. Proverbs 15:15 states that the “cheerful heart has a continual feast.” As we contemplate the upcoming Thanksgiving holiday this month, our taste buds are getting primed for the mouth-watering foods we think of at Thanksgiving. It is for many of us a feast of great proportion, complete with desserts we might reserve only for such occasions. But what about the true feast of Thanksgiving…the one that the Pilgrims had going on in their hearts, which prompted them to set aside several days of offering thanks to God for His goodness to them? What about the feast of cheerful gratitude? Just as we take time to offer thanks in this newsletter, so we encourage you to check your “lens” this season to see how much feasting of heart you can do. We have much for which to be grateful. Harry A. Ironside once wisely stated, “We would worry less if we praised more. Thanksgiving is the enemy of discontent and dissatisfaction.” 

 We would like to especially offer thanks for all of you who have supported this ministry down through the years. Some of you remember when we began in Venezuela 18 years ago, others remember our time in Honduras, and still others have joined us now that we are reaching into Peru. No matter at what stage you began partnering with us, your participation in what the Lord has done through Home of Refuge has had an eternal impact on countless lives. Some of you stood with us in our most difficult days of testing, through perilous times, and through many heart-breaking seasons. Some of you fought for us on bended knees, interceding to the Father so that we might find strength and comfort to continue on in the midst of tremendous sorrows. You have been and continue to be faithful to help us, and for this we are very, very grateful. We thank you from the bottom of our hearts. We also thank God for bringing us through the trials of the last year and a half. One son and one daughter-in-law went to be with Jesus in 2013. God brought us through that season and ministered life to our hurting hearts. He also healed Rosa of cancer, and the “frozen shoulder” that resulted after her surgery. In everything we see that we have been blessed beyond measure.

The children are all doing well, too; we are thankful. God has supplied grace to the new directors and things appear to be running smoothly at Santa Maria Children’s Home. We give thanks for the ability to supply their monthly utilities again, and to fill up their pantry as always. It truly is a blessing we do not take for granted…and neither do they!  Thank you for making it possible through your giving.

We pray that you will have a joyous time of celebration this whole month long–celebration of the truest kind, recognizing the goodness of God in everything that surrounds you. As you ponder the Thanksgiving season, remember to add “cheerful gratitude” to your (daily!) menu, for what Todd Stocker said is a truth worth living: “Thankfulness creates gratitude, which generates contentment that causes peace.” May God’s grace and peace be with you each.

With Gratitude,

Tony and Rosa Rivera

Home of Refuge International