The (Post) Modern Topic of Friends

A good friend of ours, Rod Fry, recently posted the following explanation of his perspective of friendship, mentoring, etc etc. We thought it was good enough to share on here as he asks many insightful questions and provides some very practical insight into the topic of friendship. You can learn more about Rod and Mayra's ministry by visiting their blog.

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Friends
by Rod Fry

During our last night on vacation recently, on the balcony of our hotel, late at night long after the kids and Mayra had gone to sleep, I looked over the beautiful pool area and palm trees under the light of the moon, and finally had somewhat of a revelation.

Revelations from God don't come very often, at least for me. Some of this may have to do with the fact that I'm usually with three very active, very loud kids. My dream vacation is quiet, relaxing times with my wife. Reality is so, oh so much different. If you know our kids, you know what I'm talking about.

But finally, the last night, on the porch overlooking a beautiful hotel and with the sound of the waves in the background...finally God spoke. Of course, not audibly. But clearly nonetheless.

One of the concepts I most value is "friendship." I would prefer to be called a friend much more than a pastor or missionary or whatever else. The word "friend" implies relationship. I implies love. It necessitates a deeper knowledge of someone. Of me, and I of others.

I'm 42. Facebook says I have 464 friends. But what about those friends. Some of those people I am friends with I don't really even know. Some of them I most surely don't even like. Some of them, as evidenced by what they post, are apparently borderline certifiable. Without a doubt, I would not have wanted to share that balcony with most of them that last night at the hotel.

I began to think of who I really would like to be there. Now, obviously I want my wife there. I really want her there. But... bear with me here ladies...guys need guys. Men need men, to challenge each other, encourage each other, motivate each other and keep each other accountable.

I remember a fellow missionary saying that he heard that you can sort of coast spiritually until you're 40. You can ride on the momentum of your background, of your family, of your younger years. But once you're 40, you gotta work at it. More. Constantly. I agree with this sentiment.

So I have tons of friends, but how many friends do I really have? How many men do I want to share my heart with, and listen to theirs? Who do I really want with me on the balcony? Not many. But I need the ones I have. I need friends.

I got a lot of ideas, a lot of vision. I need friends to tell me I'm not crazy, and friends to tell me when I am. I struggle with sin. Daily. I need help with that. I really do. I desperately want to fulfill the purpose that God has for me in this life. I can't achieve that alone, because I have blind spots. I am undisciplined. I get so distracted. I get discouraged and tired (that last part has only happened since I turned 40!).

Discipleship has so many names. Mentor, apprentice, teacher, student, pastor, learner. But my favorite name is "friend." It puts us on the same level, because there is, after all, only one Rabbi, only one Teacher.
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Movements

Movements

We are all part of movements. Right now sitting in the passenger seat of our car as Lindsey drives and we are part of constant movement here on the Chicago highways. Things here seem to never stop moving.

But what about movements in society? You know, the ones that effect lives. I read about a man recently who started TOMS Shoes in order to initiate a movement geared toward bringing new pairs of shoes to kids around the world. He has begun a movement.

Some movements are within our own families. My great uncle Edgar and my grandmother Margaret initiated a movement in my family. They loved, welcomed, and treated with respect. They started a movement that extends through the many lives they changed over the years.

What kind of a movement are you involved in? May there are movements around you that you can simply join and be a part of?

Some people join movement teams. Our friends Mark and Michelle annually have movement teams leave their homes and make an impact on the people in need in Honduras.

We are taking part in a new movement in Uruguay. A movement of people who are served, who serve others. Join us in prayer. Join us for a one week movement team. Join us by partnering with us financially on a monthly basis. Join the movement! Join any movement!

Just make sure there is a movement.

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Have you got a boss or a leader?

Have you got a boss or a leader?

Some of you undoubtedly go to work on a daily basis for no other reason than to get the paycheck and the only reason you do what your boss says is because you have to. Some others are working because their boss inspires them, empowers them, and trusts them. Which one is you?

I recently saw this article from the social media director at Ford where he has a chance to interact with the CEO of the company. The fact that the CEO gave him the time of day, that he also sat an interacted with customers, and that he interacted with them in a venue such as twitter says alot about the CEO.

The question for all of us continues to be: have you got a boss or a leader? If you have a leader, enjoy your work and enjoy your leader. Tell me about it. If you have a boss who does not lead, I'm sorry. Hopefully even in this job climate you'll be able to find other employment with someone who values what you contribute.

If you supervise, are in charge of, or oversee a group or a few people, you would be wise to ask yourself the same question...do your employees have a boss or a leader?

Enjoy the article and accompanying video.


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Help Us Get to 70% Monthly by May

For those who have been following our support levels, we are excited to say that our moving costs for Uruguay have been reached! Our MONTHLY support is around 60% currently. We are getting closer to 100%!!!

We were informed this week that if our MONTHLY support reaches 70% in May, we will be able to register for the Center for Intercultural Training (CIT). CIT is a precursor to our final departure to the mission field. Why more training, you ask? CAM has all its missionaries go through CIT, in order to have some in-depth and focused training on culture shock, serving as a couple in missions, and adjusting to your new culture/city/language.

With this new goal, we would like you to help us get to 70% of our monthly support so that we can attend CIT very soon. Check out our Monthly Financial Partner page to learn more.

Contact us to learn more.

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Insights from Crazy Love...on being lukewarm

My brother Alex went on his first mission trip this spring during his Spring Break. They flew into Brazil and went down the Amazon River visiting villages and serving the people there each day. I'm so excited that he went and got to experience how much a missions trip can change your life!

During their trip, they read the book Crazy Love by Francis Chan. Al gave me a copy to read while I've been recouping from my surgery. Today, I read an awesome chapter called: "Profile of the Lukewarm." I think I enjoyed it so much, because I felt convicted and challenged by what Chan said. Alex said it was one of his favorite chapters too! Here's some of the highlights from the chapter:

"Profile of the Lukewarm" - from Crazy Love by Francis Chan

LUKEWARM PEOPLE:

• attend church regularly. It is what is expected of them, what they believe "good Christians" do, so they go.
• give money to charity and to church...as long as it doesn't impinge on their standard of living. If they have a little extra and it is easy and safe to give, they do so.
• don't really want to be saved from their sin; they want only to be saved from the penalty of their sin.
• are moved by stories about people who do radical things for Christ, yet they do not act.
• rarely share their faith with their neighbors, coworkers, and friends. They do no want to be rejected, nor do they want to make people uncomfortable by talking about private issues like religion.
• guage their morality or "goodness" by comparing themselves to the secular world.
• say they love Jesus, and He is, indeeed, a part of their lives. But only part. They give him a section of their time, their money, and their thoughts, but He isn't allowed to control their lives.
• love others but do not seek to love others as much as they love themselves. Their love is highly conditional and very selective, and generally comes with strings attached.
• will serve God and others, but there are limits on how far they will go or how much time, money, and energy they are willing to give.
• think about life on earth much more often than eternity in heaven. Daily life is mostly focused on today's to-do list, this week's schedule, and next month's vacation.
• are thankful for their luxuries and comforts, and rarely consider trying to give as much as possible to the poor.
• do whatever is necessary to keep themselves from feeling too guilty. They want to do the bare minimum, to be "good enough" without it requiring too much of them.
• are continually concerned with playing it safe; they are slaves to the god of control.
• do not live by faith; their lives are structured so they never have to. The truth is, their lives wouldn't look much different if they suddenly stopped believing in God.

The verse Chan finishes up the chapter with is this: "Salt is good, but if it loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is fit neither for the soil nor for the manure pile; it is thrown out." - Luke 14:34-35.

How much of the profile of the lukewarm do you resonate with? I have missed the mark in several of these areas. Together during this Easter weekend, let's remember the sacrifice Christ made for us...and we can give him a lot more than just being lukewarm...we can give him our full saltiness.

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Semana Santa in Spain

Check out what Krista (who is living in Southern Spain for one year) has to say about what Holy Week is like in Spain:
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Hello!

I hope you are having a great Palm Sunday! I wanted to give you a picture (literally) of how Spaniards, especially in Andalucía, are celebrating this week. Palm Sunday is the beginning of Semana Santa, or Holy Week, here in Spain. The week of Easter is celebrated very differently here.

This one week is famous for people to have a high level of religious/devout behavior and then completely go the other direction. Many people even admit to doing this.

Some prayer points for this week:

• Religious works and spiritual things are visible everywhere. Please be praying for the people of Úbeda to turn their attention to eternal things.
• Please be praying that the people would love God and not just the traditions. Please pray for obedience to follow with that love.
• Please pray for me and also for the church here, to be bold, and to speak the truth in love.
• Praise Him for our salvation! "He Himself bore the sin of many, and interceded for the transgressors." (Is 53:12)

What exactly is going on? Let me explain, groups of people walk in solemn processions throughout the city. These groups have special names (Cofradías), but the closest word we have to it in English, is a brotherhood. Every group has special colors, penitence robes, and represents a different part of the Passion Week. Some people carry crosses, candles, drums, etc. Some people walk barefoot or let the hot wax of a candle drop into their hand to show penitence. Overall, the processions are very organized and serious. If you would like to see some pictures I took of the first procession, click here.

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Partner Profile: Justin and Aube Kies

Brad and Justin grew up together in Kings Mountain. They have been through so many things together throughout the years. Now, even though they live miles apart (and soon continent's apart), their friendship has remained strong. After Justin married Aube and Brad married Lindsey, Aube and Lindsey also get the chance to have a neat friendship that everyone is thankful for. Today, we'd like to share how Justin and Aube have been a part of our ministry in a very significant way.



Justin and Aube have been praying for us in so many ways -- as we seek to start a family, through Lindsey's recent surgeries, through life's various trials, and on our journey to the mission field. We are so thankful and grateful for the prayer support they offer us.

They have also decided to partner with us as monthly financial partners -- knowing that right now their ministry is in their hometown but they still want to make a global impact.

As they saw our desire to connect with churches and individuals who share similar beliefs and perspectives on life, they spoke with their church and gave us the opportunity to begin developing a relationship with their church congregation, Sunday Schools, and Youth group. In March, we had an awesome time connecting with people and sharing how they can serve in missions both in North Carolina and across the world. The are continuing to connect us with churches in the area that would like to learn more about missions in Spain/Uruguay, but also living a missional life in the place that God has them currently.

We love being a part of Justin and Aube's life and have shared many deep conversations with them about life, faith, and friendships. Thank you Justin and Aube for making an impact on us and for being faithful partners in ministry on a relational, financial, prayerful, and connectional basis!

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