If you're like me, you might be struggling to truly celebrate the Thanksgiving holiday in the midst of the darkest days of the global pandemic. Most of us are emotionally weary as 2020 has been a year filled with uncertainty, stress, suffering and loss. And now most of us will celebrate the holiday without the usual feast surrounded by family and friends.

Perhaps we need Thanksgiving more than ever this year as it gives us a gentle nudge to transcend our circumstances and call to mind that for which we are thankful.

The refugee churches with whom we partner have shown me that it is possible to have a spirit of thankfulness and joy even in the midst of prolonged uncertainty, loss, and suffering. May we be inspired by their example and do the same as we celebrate this week.

I am thankful for you.

You are an encouragement to us as we pursue our mission of helping people survive and recover from forced displacement. Your prayers and generosity fuel this ministry. And together we have the great joy of participating with God as he answers the prayers of our forcibly displaced friends.

May we find hope and encouragement this Thanksgiving as we call to mind the life-changing reality that God sees, hears and cares for us and that he is with us.