We have now been in the Northern New England Division for over a year.  It was a little over two years ago when we were serving in New York City that we got word we were being transferred to Philadelphia.  We regretted leaving but were thankful for the fact that we were moving within a few miles of our son, daughter-in-law and grandson (now granddaughter also).  We were thankful for the blessing of being able to see our children almost at any time we wanted to.

We were only there for a few months and got word that we were moving again to the home area of my wife.  Often when I am seeking to get a smile or laugh from folks, I will say that I am thankful I went from 10 miles from my grandson to 10 miles from my mother-in-law.

The fact of the matter is that we are very thankful.  The ability for my wife and me to be able to spend time with my mother-in-law is an unexpected blessing for which I am thankful.

We are also thankful for the ministry opportunities that are ours.

Camp Sebago has again served hundreds of children.  Giving them an opportunity to experience the beauty of this area that we often take for granted.

One of the things I am thankful for is that staff continue to come to help us minister to these young folks.  I am daily thankful that qualified mature staff return year after year.  The challenge has been that older staff often have started to raise their own families which has challenged us to provide summer housing for family staff when we can.  We are in the process of building three (3) new staff cabins that will facilitate this.

Last year, our Pathway of Hope Program started in New Hampshire.  The Pathway of Hope Program identifies families that have a desire to break the cycle of multigenerational poverty and faces intensive casework, counseling and networking on these families.  I am thankful that we began this program now in Maine and we hope by early next year to move into Vermont.

But this and all that we do for children, adults or seniors could not be done without you and I am thankful for you.  Philemon 1:4 “I thank God always when I remember you in my prayers”.

Not a day goes by that I am not thankful for the women and men that trust us to do the most good.  I don’t take for granted the trust placed in us and for you I am thankful.