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New Friends

Posted on Saturday, February 18, 2017

It has been an atypical winter, even for the south. There have been several spring weather days since we've been here at intercultural training, so one day, about a week after we all arrived, a group of us decided to go for a walk and enjoy the sunshine.

We wandered down the patches of sidewalk until the cement ran out, and then we spread out over the grassy shoulder and into the street (yes, we watched for cars). Eventually, we came across a dirt road that we were curious about. We had walked pretty far at this point, but we were having such great conversations that we just kept going. The talking wove in and out of pairs and trios. We were still getting to know each other, so if one conversation happened across a topic that another person was familiar with, they would jump in and share their interest or curiosity. It was so organic and familial, and we had all only met the week before. 

A little ways down the dirt road, there was an opening in the trees that displayed a beautiful meadow. Our walking group included a few high-spirited friends who announced that they wanted to frolick through the field. So they did.

I'm so glad I caught a picture of these new friends living in the moment. Remembering that walk makes me smile, and thinking about how much closer we all grew in the following weeks encourages me. It's easy for me to feel overwhelmed when I try to imagine what it will be like moving to a new place where I only know a couple people, but spending this time with strangers who have quickly become dear friends reminds me that it doesn't take long to connect with people and to begin building relationships, especially when you're living life together day in and day out. I can't wait to meet so many more new friends overseas.

Those of us who trained together over the last four weeks will soon be spread out over 17 different countries, yet we will be serving the same Lord. I love that we all have Jesus in common because that means no matter how far around the world any of us go and no matter how long it is before we see each other again, we will someday be Home together with people "from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb" (Revelation 7:9). If you imagine how beautiful that day will be when all peoples stand to worship the King, all you will want to do is Go (Matthew 28:19).

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