As the air turns crisp and autumn leaves paint the landscape, this season invites reflection. The past year has been filled with noise—debates, challenges, uncertainties. Yet, amid it all, my focus has remained on something truly meaningful: my work with Friends in Solidarity (FiS), a mission-driven organization serving communities in Africa, particularly in South Sudan.

This year, I’ve had the privilege of crafting communications that amplify the voices of those working tirelessly for peace in South Sudan. Their resilience, hope, and unbendable faith in the face of unthinkable hardships have been humbling to witness. The stories I’ve encountered are not just about struggle; they are about strength, perseverance, and the unshakable spirit of a people who continue to build, dream, and believe in a better future. I have found myself, at times, in tears.

South Sudan’s decade-long conflict has displaced millions, yet what stands out most is not the statistics, but the humanity—the hands that continue to heal, the educators who inspire young minds, the communities who support one another despite having so little. In sharing their stories, I have learned profound lessons about gratitude, purpose, and what it truly means to serve.

This work has also expanded my understanding of what is possible and deepened my sense of purpose. More than a professional endeavor, it has been a spiritual one, reminding me that we are all called to use our gifts in service of something greater. And in doing so, we often find exactly where we are meant to be.

As we enter this season of gratitude, my prayer is for peace—here at home and across the world. From South Sudan to Ukraine, from the Middle East to our own neighborhoods, may we recognize our shared humanity. May we carry forward not just words of thanks, but actions of kindness. Because even the smallest act of compassion has the power to bring light where it is needed most.

This Thanksgiving, may we pause, reflect, and open our hearts—to gratitude, to service, and to the profound beauty of a world where love, even in the hardest places, continues to rise.❤️

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(Photos ©Friends in Solidarity. 2024)