Have you ever wondered what the Pilgrims would think of our society’s version of Thanksgiving? Those early settlers had just come through almost unspeakable hardships of cold winter, lack of food, sickness, and death. But then winter turned to spring, and the Lord graciously provided food and health. How could they not celebrate and offer thanks?

     I can’t pretend to understand why God allowed such deep hardships for the Pilgrims, but I do believe they followed Scripture in giving thanks. I believe they followed Paul’s instruction in 1 Thessalonians 5:18, “In everything give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you” and in Ephesians 5:20, “Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.” What a testimony they left us! We too ought to develop a spirit of thanksgiving both in the midst of hardships and when we see God provide.

      In keeping with the Pilgrim’s example, I would like to offer thanksgiving for a few things: I’m thankful for IFM missionaries. I have the privilege to witness the working of God in their lives.  I see their struggles and victories as they work to serve the Lord on the fields that He has sent them.  I am able to see them grow

in their total dependence on the Lord in every aspect of their lives and their family’s lives.

      I am so thankful for you. I am able to see God provide for our missionaries through wonderful people like you. Your giving makes it possible for our missionaries to carry out the work God has called them to do. Without your prayer and financial support, this would be very difficult. I can’t tell you how often I have been amazed at the way the Lord has used you. Thank you so very much.

     I am also encouraged to see how God takes care of our Home Office. The staff here at IFM works hard on behalf of our missionaries. We are able to accomplish more than I would have every thought possible, and for this we give God the glory.  He “is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think” (Ephesians 3:20).

      Finally, I am so thankful for extra blessings from God’s people. Each November through January, we ask you to consider going one step further through the IFM “Nudge Project.” At this time of year, please consider giving an extra $5 to $10 above your regular gift to help with the costs of running the Home Office for our missionaries. I again want to thank each of you who have participated in the “Nudge Project“ in the past and am asking you to help again. Please mark any gift to help us as “Nudge Project.”

      Would you join me as we close out this year in giving thanks to God for all he has done? As David’s prayer of Psalm 86 reminds us, “For thou art great, and doest wondrous things: thou art God alone” (Psalm 86:10).

     

Hal S. Pope

​IFM Executive Director

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“...he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully.”  2 Corinthians 9:6