"A friend loveth at all times." Proverbs 17:17a KJV
I received an email from 2 friends today: Gracie and Ryan. God has always used them to be an encouragement to me and others.
I met Gracie at Youth Camp when I was 13. She was there when I fell off a cliff, got 17 stitches (thanks to whomever left that broken bottle there), worried more about my hair and getting bloodstains on my new pair of Nike shoes (how vain)...and talking about the McLaren F1 while hallucinating on my way to the ER! (Gracie, if you're reading this: I failed to tell you that I went to see a plastic surgeon and I ended up paying for a scolding with no results, ha!)
Gracie now serves as a missionary to Cambodia with her 3 beautiful children (#4 on the way) and husband. It's such a blessing to see her grow in the Lord as she demonstrates unconditional love towards the locals. Sadly, many of those who attended the same Youth Camp(s) have turned their back from the Lord, and they publish it publicly on MySpace! :(
Ryan is one of my best buddies back in college, the pseudo-boyfriend who kept all the (blind) stalkers away! We were both extremely sarcastic and vain; as a result, he is the only friend who has experienced my utter wrath (location: UTMT)! I'm still tempted to this day to say that he totally deserved it!
Today, Ryan, together with his wife, actively serves and reaches out to the Youth in Northern UAE. It is so refreshing to hear of his updates on how God has worked greatly in his life. He is like a dear brother to me.
"Then saith he unto his disciples, The harvest truly [is] plenteous, but the labourers [are] few; Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth labourers into his harvest." Matthew 9:37,38 KJV
I may not be in such countries like Gracie and Ryan; however, I can choose to make any place my mission field, be it at home, at work, or Altamonte Springs. Am I making a difference in my own community?
