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| Our Elders... excuse the serious expression; it was a sad day. |
Also departing tomorrow is another
friend from church. He will be in Hawaii for the next few years to
take advantage of a scholarship in the USA.
I am very proud of each of them. They
are among the world's choice young men, and I believe they will be
great missionaries (one will make a great student – he has already
served a mission). Despite obstacles and challenges they faced, they
made the right decision. I firmly believe that an honorable mission
is the most valuable thing a young man can ever engage in. Close
behind that is furthering one's education.
Eight months ago when I arrived in
Indonesia, I was concerned about finding a support network at church.
After a short time in-country, I contacted my friend who is now
leaving for Hawaii and asked for his help. I needed friends
at church.
Since that time he and his brother have
kept tabs on me. They, along with the other young men in the branch,
have provided me with more blessings than I can count. Anytime I have
been homesick or have needed a friend, at least one of them has been
around to help. They have repeatedly raided my fridge, accompanied me
on trips, worn my UNO cards ragged, and provided enough faith and
courage to get me through some difficult days.
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| Here we are in front of the church |
Their friendship has been a gift from
God.
I find comfort today in the wise words
of Tolkien, “I will not say: do not weep; for not all tears are
an evil.”
1 comment:
Ah! That's so sad yet happy! Couldn't agree more about an honorable mission being the most valuable thing a YM can do. I really think missions are more about changing the YM/YW than about finding converts. It's our modern-day Zion's Camp, for sure!
Don't know what I would have done in every new place I moved to without a support network at church. That has made all the difference for me, especially in foreign countries. I hope the branch survives without them, and good luck coping!
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