Lasting Friendships

We are so blessed with friends from all over the world! Not only are we forming new relationships now, but we are also blessed to renew old friendships. Having worked for many years overseas, and having endured similar trials and difficulties, we learned to treasure our friends there in a precious way. Last week we had a visit from some very precious friends...

We have known Jim and Karen for many years. Although we served with two different mission organizations, we were knit together in one spirit under the Lord that we loved and served. These dear people have just retired after serving as overseas missionaries for the past thirty years. We thank God for the many lives that were changed because of their willingness to sacrifice for His kingdom.

These two Jims have actually known each other since childhood. Since both of them had missionary parents, they grew up as TCK's (third culture kids) and became friends when they attended missionary boarding school as children. Later on, they both returned to the land where they were raised, and worked as adults, often working together as they served in the same role in their respective mission organizations.

No evening like this would have been complete without inviting more missionary friends! We were happy that Steve and Doreen and Chuck could also join us for the evening. Jim and Karen had lots of pictures to share with us...

...and lots of stories to share! We talked and laughed about our many shared experiences. Jim also told us about their most recent visit to an area that was located less than 100 miles from where we used to live. They showed us pictures and told us stories about the recent (to all of us anyway!!!) discovery of dinosaur tracks! Our evening visit went by all too fast, but we know that there will be more to come. Thank God for friends!