I have to agree with Len Sweet when he said, "Writing is like passing a kidney stone. . . "  I do however find myself drawn to it.  No, not passing a kidney stone but writing.  

Thanksgiving was great.  I do find my thanksgiving perspective has shifted post-Tanzania.  Having traveled there this past summer to do work at the faithworks (www.faithworks4us.org) orphanage, to do teacher training and a medical clinic, I see our life situation here in America much differently.  

We complain about a healthcare system that is broken, and yes I believe that it is broken but it is nothing compared to healthcare in developing nations.  We complain about the cost of an ambulance ride, that although it may not have been entirely necessary or perhaps it may have saved our lives, nonetheless, we complain about the cost and once we are well, complain about the fights we had with the insurance company.  For our brothers and sisters in Tanzania an ambulance ride might consist of a wheelbarrow or on the handlebars of a bicycle.  And by the way, what is health insurance.  No cash, no health care services rendered.    

We complain about our education system, and I agree there are improvements that could be made.  While in Tanzania we did a  teacher training for Christian educators.  Although we were clear about this with the leadership of the churches there, the word seeped out and many government school teachers came too (government schools are public schools).  We had 62 people come to be trained in the teacher training.  They came from all across the countryside.  Some walked 3 hours each morning to get there.  That means they walked three hours home too.   

We complain about our schools and pull our children in and out of schools without a thought. Charter schools, public schools, alternative educational programs, magnet schools, vocational training schools, we are so fortunate with so many choices.  Our brothers and sisters in Tanzania have choices too, but there is a difference.  There are not nearly enough teachers to begin with.  There has been a widespread AIDS epidemic that has impacted the working force.  970000 AIDS orphans in Tanzania.  There are not just orphans, there are fewer teachers, fewer workers. Oh,  and with fewer workers, children are forced to work.  This means that many children don't make it to school.  Fewer than 10% of all children will make it secondary school (high school) at all.  There is much more about the education system that I could share, but I tell you I am thankful for the teachers that I call friends, that teach my children at a good school, Thomas elementary in Flagstaff, AZ.  

We complain about the foster care system in our nation.  We have an estimated 600000 kids in foster care in the U.S.  compared to 900000 AIDS orphans in Tanzania.  We have much work to do in this area.  But we, as we do, criticize those who are working diligently as advocates for children in this nation.  We have no one to criticize but ourselves.  The children are ours!  I do think that this is one area we have fallen down.  We could do better.  Our brothers and sisters in Tanzania told me a story about how they feel about their children.  

Years ago when a twin was born they would kill one.  Now I don't know how long ago this was, but however long ago it was too recent for me.  One of the twins would be killed because for a poor family (most families)  it would be too much of a burden.  Somewhere along the line, this changed and what they realized is that each child, every child, might just be the next president, the next great leader, the next needed teacher.  They don't have a foreign adoption policy in Tanzania.  They do all they can to care for their children.  To the last extended family member, they will care for their children because each child is valued.  We have much to learn from our brothers and sisters.  

We have much to be thankful for.