I received an email from my friend Matt this morning. I was so touched by his email that I want to share it in hopes that it might inspire you to plan a small gathering on Thanksgiving morning.  I spoke at his church last week, on National Orphan Sunday, about orphans.

Matt writes,

Courtney and I decided this week to put on an event, Thanksgiving Day, to benefit orphans.  Let me explain.  At our church, Cornerstone Christian Fellowship, we had a speaker who is an orphan advocate (and a friend of our family) give a short presentation on November 7.  November 7 was Orphan Sunday across the world.  Later that evening at our 2nd service, we focused specifically on the plight of orphans around the world.  So, we decided to do something about the “orphan problem” that the church is called to be a big part of.

Here’s the deal….

What?: Run or walk 1 mile with your family and then stick around for some games for the kids.

Where?: South Hills Park in Lebanon.  We are starting near the playground.

When?: 9am on Thursday, November 25th.  We will be done by 10am.

How does this help orphans?:  We are asking each family (that could be a family of 1 or a family of 10) to come with $10 cash or a $10 check made out to “Sweet Sleep.”  Sweet Sleep is an organization that provides adequate beds and bedding for orphans (most of the time their beds are highly inadequate, 1 inch mattresses, etc.) and mosquito netting to prevent malaria bites while sleeping.  Check out their website.

Why? It’s Thanksgiving.  We have a lot to be thankful for.  Plus we are going to gorge ourselves later in the day and then complain about how much we ate.  Let’s get the day started right by answering God’s call to orphans, getting some exercise, and hanging with our family and “extended” family!!!!

May this event being planned give you encouragement to plan your own Huff and Puff before you Stuff Event on Thanksgiving Day!  Let us know what you have planned!