I am so thankful for my God who loves me, my husband whom I love with all my heart, my loving, supportive family, dear sweet friends and kindred spirits, amazing memories, being able to see the world, sharing our dreams with those we love, being able to take care of others, being told I am loved every day, having a job, food, clothing, shoes on my feet, a roof over my head…I am blessed beyond measure.

Thanksgiving is a time that reminds us to examine our lives and acknowledge the blessings that we have been given. It reminds me that I should be thanking the Lord daily for my blessings.

Most people in North America, including myself have all that we need, much of what we want, more choices that anyone could imagine, and much much more. Living in a part of the world that dominates the globe, many think that we are the majority. However, that is not the case. In poverty-stricken places like Burundi, and many other countries around the world, most people live in need. We are, in fact, the minority.

In Burundi, there are orphans who have nobody, living on the streets. Many people have no shoes and just the clothes on their backs, walking miles in the heat to fetch water, not knowing if they will have enough food to feed their family today, not having a job, and working harder than we could ever imagine just to get through the day.

I am not telling you this to make you feel guilty, I am simply telling you this so that you know how blessed you are and how we have so much to give to those who don’t. If you feel challenged by this, there are so many opportunities to make a difference in other people’s lives. Why I have been blessed in this way, I don’t know. But I do know that I am blessed to be a blessing to others and because of this it is my responsibility to help those who are in need.

Here is a quote that I love by Simon Guillebaud: “Live simply, so that others may simply live.”

So as you sit down this Thanksgiving for a feast with your families, know that you are blessed beyond measure and please say a prayer for Burundi. Happy Thanksgiving.

~Nadine

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Here are some of the faces of Burundi…