Yesterday Debbie and I received an email from a good friend. We've known Dan and Rita since my freshman year at Wheaton College. It is a friendship that was solidified by weekly trips in the early 1970s to Joliet, IL to minister in a coffeehouse outreach (remember those?). Some Saturday nights we would drive Dan's '57 Ford filled with five or six college students. Other times we'd drive the college's 4-wheel drive Chevy which was used to explore the badlands of South Dakota in the summers. Those nights of seeking to build relationships with high school students off the streets of Joliet with the goal of sharing Christ also resulted in building a friendship which has lasted a lifetime.
I got to thinking about the many friends, both individuals and in various churches, the Lord has blessed us with throughout our years of ministry. I was reminded we are indeed rich! There are several, like Dan and Rita, who have been with us since the start. They have prayed, and many have given financially, that our part in SMMM might be effective. We have watched each others' children grow up. We've tracked the career developments along the way. We have celebrated and even cried together even though we have rarely seen each other face-to-face.
The common bond that has kept these friendships so special has been our shared relationship with Jesus Christ. These friendships are very valuable to us and I wouldn't trade them for anything. What a great experience to have lifetime relationships within the Body of Christ.
That's what's happening along the banks of Troublesome Creek until next time.
Tuesday, August 26, 2008
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2 comments:
Hi from a college friend of Beth McIntyre. Jeff and Beth were at our church in Cadillac, MI recently. I found your blog during a recent Camp Nathanael Search. I was also part of a GRSBM summer music group that spent a week ministering at Camp Nathanael the summer of 1982. That was our favorite week that summer, and the next week we went to another camp (not as cool as Camp Nathanael) and we kept saying, "Take me back to Kentucky!"
Anyway, about your blog topic. I too am thankful for the friends that the Lord has brought across my path. Some have been an encouragement or taught me a lesson, and moved on. Others (like your friends) have remained friends thoughout the years. Either way, I am what I am today b/c of those friends and their influence in my life. And my prayer that God was able to touch their lives through me and my love for God!
Jonell,
Great to hear from you and I'm glad you indentified with this entry.
We had some great groups from GRSBM during that time period.
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