 What are you Thankful for? — So I know this sounds strange coming from a British Guy living in Mexico, but I wanted to wish you all a very happy Thanksgiving. Over the years it has definitely become my favorite American Holiday. A day to simply stop and remember how grateful we are for our families and all the blessings we have.
One thing that our family tries to do each day over dinner is to share a one thing we can be grateful for during that day. Some days it flows easily, but other days, it's a lot harder to think of something. But there is always something to be thankful for. We then write it on a post-it and stick it on the window. After a few weeks, you struggle to see out of the window, some of the post its are looking faded and wrinkled, others are falling off. But as we spend time looking at the notes and remembering all we have to be thankful for, it builds hope, and puts our lives into perspective. Remembering how blessed we are with all the amazing things we have and the experiences we have discovered. This year at the YWAM campus, we have Thanksgiving dinner for 300 people. We are then going out and building 5 homes for needy families in Ensenada. So you ask me what I'm thankful for, I think the chance to be able to bring hope this thanksgiving. Knowing that In a few days time, there will be 5 more families in Ensenada that will be sleeping in warm beds with a proper roof over their heads. Thanks for being part of this with us. Happy Thanksgiving from our family to yours... The Kemp Family Why Mexico? I remember before we came to Mexico, someone sat me down asked "Why on Earth would you want to take your family and live in a place that is poor, dirty, corrupt and crime ridden". At the time my answer was "Well it seams a noble thing to to do, going to change peoples lives". But now as i look back at the past nearly 11 years of life and ministry in Mexico, my answer is very different. We came to Mexico with a view of serving others and probably a savior mentality, thinking i was coming to change peoples lives. In reality i think it's me that has changed the most. My love and respect for people and cultures has grown in ways that i couldn't dream about. We all read about poverty and see statistics. We see faces on the TV and hear stories. But i've found that behind every statistic is a Father, a Mother, a brother, a sister, all trying to do the best they can with the life they have been given. I've realized that a family of 6, earning just $5 a day, living in a house made of pallets and old tarpaulins, with no electricity or running water, sleeping on an old mattress on a dirt floor can live a more content life than a family living in "luxury" in a developed nation. I've realized that building a home for a family the size of an average garage, that is dry, warm and safe can change the destiny of a family's life forever. I've learned that Mexico is a beautiful nation full of amazing people that work hard and value their families in a way i've never seen. So tell me again Why Mexico? So if you asked me now Why Mexico? My answer again be would be simple, but very different. Mexico for me has been a place of learning and growing. Its a place that despite the dirt, corruption and poverty, its a place that i can call home and raise my family. Its a place that i can have the privilege of being a small part of transforming lives every day. Thank You for partnering with us to see transformation in lives here in Mexico.  |
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