In the life of every missionary there are special days, like when there is spiritual awakening and maturing, of the people within you circle of influence. Perhaps, as Thanksgiving draws near, for American missionaries laboring in Guatemala, there may be a special “infilling” of the natural kind.

We look forward to sharing a traditional meal with fellow missionaries, friends, and invited guests on Thanksgiving Day! Very much by accident, two years ago, while searching for something to add to the feasting of the day, Robin and I happened upon these beauties in Guatemala City. Since that fateful day, we have established a clandestine network of missionaries that spy out the land whenever we are in Guatemala City and report on the status and availability of hams.

Another favorite is a recipe passed down from the Martinez family table, and I credit my Dad, Charlie, for the many tips and secret ingredients. The basic components can be difficult to obtain in Central America. Long range planning can sometimes bring the items from the U.S. right when needed.

This year, by word of mouth and the Clandestine Network of Missionaries (CNM), we were able to locate a wealth of yellow corn meal (YCM). YCM is a key ingredient for the Southern Cornbread Stuffing (SCS), now famous in north and Central America. So, since the CNM was able to locate the YCM, we can now expect to have SCS for our Thanksgiving feasting.

Let us remember the overwhelming Blessings that God fills our lives with everyday!