November is a season for giving thanks, and I am so, so thankful for the many graces and blessings the Lord has poured into our lives this year. This year began facing the mountain of cancer. Then, just as suddenly as the diagnosis had come and taken over our lives for months on end, that mountain was removed and cast into the sea. One week before I boarded a plane to return to Asia for a month of ministry, I had my 6 month CT scan. It was all clear. Oh, thank You, Jesus. As I re-entered Asia, our first week was in Malaysia with our dear friends at SEAPC. A gathering of hundreds of friends from 34 ethnicities, a large contingency of whom we have had the honor and pleasure of working with over the past 33 years. It was a week of joyful reunion, laughter, stories, hugs, deep worship and prayer. Family. When Ellie Geppert and I laughed at how we could not seem to get a moment together, there were so many people to visit we had not seen for so long, she said, joyfully, ‘It’s like Christmas!!’ Indeed. She is right, because whenever we are with family, it is a joyful celebration. Please have a joyful, loving Thanksgiving with your loved ones.

~ Debbie Ecker