26 months in the Beninese bush has taught me a whole lot of gratitude. The fish we had for dinner last night? Incredible. The rice mish-mash of the last few dinners' leftovers? Awesome. Hot showers? (even though they are limited to two minutes) - fantastic. Coffee? Air conditioning? Ice cream? All incredible. Doesn't matter a lick that there isn't any cream for the coffee or chocolate sauce for the ice cream or that the air conditioning can have spastic moments.

My roommates and other friends on the ship have just laugh at how excited I get about absolutely everything. You would have thought that my doing laundry was a trip to disneyland. (but it was in MACHINES! WOWOWOW!!! :))

I'm really trying hard to remember to BITE MY TONGUE when people complain here. Of course I work in the dining room and have already heard my share of complaining. I've been able to be very gracious so far and find even just a smile goes a long way. I continually pray that I would hold on to this heart filled with gratitude, that it would even be contagious. That my words would be gentle but encourage others to see the all the incredible gifts and common grace that abounds around us and embrace JOY and gratitude and contentment in every breath - which is a gift to be thankful for in itself. Thank you, God, for another day and another opportunity to serve.

krissy