Dear friends,

“Be thankful … Whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.” Col. 3:15, 17

I have so many reasons to be grateful this Thanksgiving season!

•    For God’s never-failing love and presence in every circumstance of my life.

•    For a new ministry, as God, “not early but never late," opened the doors for me to teach at the Latin American Biblical Seminary when I return to Costa Rica.

•    For the most glorious Minnesota summer and fall on record, and now a bracing winter, as I enjoy experiencing four seasons again.

•    For the wonderful new friends I have met on my travels and the friendships that I have renewed in Nebraska, Iowa, Indiana and Illinois. For gracious hospitality and a warm welcome everywhere.

•    For Marge in Nebraska who, having never even met me, agreed to set up my entire 2-week tour to visit 15 churches before and after the region’s Family Reunion in September.  

•    For fun, crazy, memorable travels with Irene, Nancy, Pat, and Roxie in Indiana in October, as we visited ABW groups and wandered lost through the cornfields. For the inspiring commitment of the ABW women, for whom nothing for ministry is impossible.

•    For Stephanie in Illinois, who set up a full 4-day schedule for me in 2 hours, and showered me with care and opportunities to share my ministry in November.

•    For pumpkin shakes, apple pudding, and biscuits and gravy, for pitch-ins and potlucks and salad luncheons, for home grown corn and beans and tomatoes, for home-made pumpkin ice-cream with hot caramel sauce and walnuts.

•    For amazing ministries that serve people in need with compassion, respect, and intelligence at the Edna Martin Neighborhood Center in Indianapolis and the Friendship House Neighborhood Center in Peoria.

One of the most distinctive characteristics of an authentic Christian community is thanksgiving. Often we are caught up in the spirit of our age that teaches us to never be satisfied with what we have, to always want more, to buy, buy, buy, even if we don’t need it and can’t afford it. Yet, we already have more than we need, and are excessively wealthy by the world’s standards. Perhaps it is time to rethink our priorities. Let us be thankful for laughter and friends, for authenticity and hope. Instead of more things, let us strive for more justice, more goodwill among all, more forgiveness and community. Of those things we can never have too much.  

Together in ministry,

Ruth Mooney