my friend.

I made a new friend this year in Southeast Asia. This friend CHANGED my life. He became more than my friend.. he became my family, my brother.  I've waited a long time to blog about him because I don't feel like I have adequate words to describe him- no words I have do him or his story justice.

My friend is strong. He has known addiction so deep that he was willing to sell even his own daughter to satisfy it..he has come out of that addiction with strength. My friend is gentle. Before he speaks, he quietly meditates on his words- carefully choosing his response so that it comes out of a heart of dedication to his God. My friend is hilarious. He can make me laugh so hard that I fall to the floor with in hysterical laugher.. and the best part is that we can only communicate with a few sentences. His laughter brought relief to my aching heart when I thought it couldn't hold any more pain. My friend is bold. He stands up to people that want him to stop his work.. his prayers were full of boldness and power, unlike any prayer I have ever heard. My friend trusts his LIFE and the life of his family to our God. He knows that the risk of following Jesus is worth the reward of the people of his nation knowing Him. I have never, never met anyone like him.

When we said goodbye, I cried tears of sorrow at having to let him go- at knowing that he had to return home to a life of immense pressure and responsibility... at knowing my life pales in comparison to his. I wept for my friend to the point of not being able to speak.. and he wept with me. All I knew to say that he would understand is "I'll pray for you." So I said it- over and over and over as I hugged his neck. And then I turned and ran for the door because I didn't think my heart could take the sadness anymore.. and my friend followed me. He put his hand on my shoulder and he said to me "Amanda, I sorry for your pain."

My friend knows faith more than I will ever know. He trust in our God more than I ever will. When he prayed "I will not trade you for anything God" he meant those words in the depths of his being.. he meant that he would give his life.

This psalm resonates deep in my soul for my friend, my brother in Christ.. will you join me in praying it for him?

"In times of trouble, may the Lord answer your cry.

      May the name of the God of Jacob keep you safe from all harm.

  May he send you help from his sanctuary

      and strengthen you from Jerusalem.

 May he remember all your gifts

      and look favorably on your burnt offerings.

                     

 May he grant your heart’s desires
      and make all your plans succeed.
 May we shout for joy when we hear of your victory
      and raise a victory banner in the name of our God.
   May the Lord answer all your prayers.

 Now I know that the Lord rescues his anointed king.

      He will answer him from his holy heaven

      and rescue him by his great power.

 Some nations boast of their chariots and horses,

      but we boast in the name of the Lord our God."

 

Psalm 20