friendship

Of friendships that inspire. It was a very busy morning, running about the orphanage in the hot, Baja Mexico sun making sure everything was ready for the new baby that was arriving that afternoon. We didn’t know much about the new baby except that she had been found abandoned alongside the road. We began to discuss all that needed to be done to make sure this child was adequately taken care of.  

While we were busy with our own plans, a barely, 5-foot-tall, 32-year-old orphaned woman, with special needs, stepped up to our meeting. Even with limited manual dexterity, she held her hands together tightly in a way she could still fold them. Her voice was soft and hard to understand, yet her smile spoke louder than her words, and we all understood the words she said that day.

“Let’s pray.”

She began to encourage` the group of staff to join our hands in prayer. I spent a year with Lupe and watched and learned from this powerful prayer warrior. To this day, she is still one of the strongest, most inspiring women I have ever met.

Along this journey of life, I have come to find that one of the greatest gifts are the people God brings our way. These friends become great encouragers for us in times of need as we journey through life together.

In Proverbs 27:9b it says:

A sweet friendship refreshes the soul.

Friendships

My husband and I moved to the Netherlands when we were newly married as missionaries. Everything was a new experience for us. Like, living in a new country, learning a new language, and let’s face it, pretty much a new everything. I remember in our first year, walking into a Dutch church in the small village of Hillegom. Looking around for a seat, I noticed an open row and walked up and asked the woman sitting there, “Is dit stoel vrij?” (Is this seat open?) I wasn’t sure if I said it correctly in Dutch or not, so I was thrilled when she answered back, with a smile,” Ja zeker!” (Yes, of course.)

From that moment on, we were friends. She was in her early 80’s at the time. I would spend time at her home baking with her as she taught me the Dutch language.  Annie has since passed away, but I will always remember how she would say, “God is good to me” and share how she experienced His faithfulness in her life. She refreshed my soul.

I love this quote from one of my Dutch heroes, Corrie Ten Boom:

“This is what the past is for! Every experience God gives us, every person He puts in our lives is the perfect preparation for the future that only He can see.”

Every person put in our path is for a reason and even prepares us for what He has for us in the future. It is His hand in every aspect of our lives that He would send the people He does at the right time.

Our two children were both born in the Netherlands. When I found out I was pregnant with my daughter we had moved to a new city and again I was starting to settle in a new place. One Sunday at church, I met a woman named Nellie. We began to get to know one another and believe it or not, she was also pregnant with her daughter at the same time as me. What a blessing that God would put a perfect friend in my path! As our friendship grew, so did our bellies. 😉

One of the joys of life is the people we meet along the way and share the journey with. Whether it is learning to pray with passion, being mentored, or having a devoted friend in a key season of life. We don’t have to go on the journey alone.

The Lord says, “I will guide you along the best pathway for your life. I will advise you and watch over you.” Psalm 38:2

No matter how many times we move or the different seasons of life we are in, what heartache or joy we may experience, we can live in the confidence that God is guiding us. He shows His care for us by bringing friends to travel along with us on the pathway of life.

It is a pathway that I have been blessed to travel with friends like Lupe, Annie and Nellie. Each one has refreshed my soul at just the right time.

A sweet friendship refreshes the soul. Proverbs 27:9b