Thanksgiving is truly one of my favorite holidays. Certainly, the food is delicious but it’s the gathering of family and friends around the table that is most special. It’s also a time of the year when we slow down and reflect on what we’re thankful for in our lives, and what gives our lives the greatest meaning. 

This year we’re looking forward to welcoming new friends into our home, celebrating with our new daughter-in-law, and anticipating the arrival of a new grandchild in the spring. So much to be grateful for.

However, my thoughts are never far from our beloved friends in Honduras. When our refrigerator and cabinets are stocked full, I quickly think of a young girl who wrote to me this week. “My mom washes someone else’s clothes, sells firewood, or works days cutting lemons and various things, but we suffer because my mom is alone and the income is not much.” 

She went on to share that her father was killed when she was three years old. “I am a girl who suffered a lot, there was no childhood for me. I learned everything from a very young age, the whole house job.”

I am absolutely inspired by this 13-year-old girl’s wisdom and resiliency. “Life has not been easy for me but life is priceless. I would like to be someone in life to help my mom with food and household expenses. I want to study hard and then work.”

We’re thankful for our Esperanza supporters who enable us to help this child and her family.

There are many more children waiting for the opportunity to enroll in school or in need of medical assistance. “What people see you do may not be remembered; what they hear you say may be forgotten, but how they feel your intervention in their time of need will forever be remembered.” – Israelmore Ayivor

Happy Thanksgiving!