Thanksgiving Day

For the first time since we came to Nigeria, we actually had a holiday on American Thanksgiving day. Well, not a true holiday, but we had the day off since travel was restricted due to local elections and most offices were closed. Luke and I watched a couple of old Voyager episodes as Luke has suddenly become a fan. When he told me I should finish watching it for him as he was going outside to play, I decided that was enough!

Most of the rest of the day and evening I was researching computer security stuff, specifically whether and how one can browse safely on a public computer such as those in cybercafes or airports. There are lots of solutions offered, but so far there doesn't seem to be any one that is secure enough to trust in a hostile environment, though a couple come close. (See the recent entries in my other blog, Computer Doc in Jos.)

Barb says this Thanksgiving she had less work to do than any previous one, since she just had to roast a chicken to take to the evening potluck. Usually, even for a potluck, she adds more and more dishes like sweet potatoes, corn with sesame seeds and chili peppers, a pie or two, on and on.

The Thanksgiving potluck itself was at the Fretheims' house not far  away. David, Saralynn and Timothy came with us, too, so it was a good family time. There were nearly 100 people and plenty of all kinds of yummy food (though I didn't see my favorite, the corn like Barb makes). I enjoyed talking to fellow SIM missionaries Jamie and Corrine, who work with the Gidan Bege street kids projects. Now that I'm full time in the SIM office doing computer things, sometimes I feel rather useless compared to when I was taking care of sick kids. So, when I hear first hand about all the things that other SIM missionaries are doing on the front-lines, I'm encouraged to think that I have a small part in keeping their ministries going. (See Saralynn's account of the day, including an adventure with Timothy at the dinner. And Thanks, Saralynn, for the picture!)

Have you noticed the conjunction between Venus and Jupiter in the evening skies?  Isn't it great? I didn't know which two planets they were (didn't think Venus ever stayed up so late) but just checked. They get closest on December 1 and will be right near a crescent moon, so don't forget to catch a glimpse if you like the stars.