Living by His plan!

The year was 1989. We relocated to Georgia. Bridgeway is the church we decided to visit.

Today, the year is 2011. We returned to Georgia on a visit, after relocating to Lima, Peru to serve the Lord. We visited Bridgeway (our home church) again.

During those 21 years, we journeyed together with friends through life; one family in particular. There was back surgery, a lead in the church play, school concerts, AWANA club meetings, youth activities, baptisms, mission trips, difficult teenage years, graduations, marriages, birthdays, grandbabies born, family suppers at one house or the other, Sunday lunches at the local Chinese restaurant, hospitalizations, four knee replacements, funerals, The list goes on and on. With each of these we banked memories; we laughed and cried, prayed and supported one another.

The opportunity to live life together gave us insight into what one another was experiencing, personal needs, and plenty occasions to pray. We lived together in West Virginia on a mission trip, at Lake Burton on a mini vacation, in San Juan de Lurigancho, Peru on a mission trip (twice) and while we were on furlough. We still live life together although distance separates us during this season of our lives. We live life together, praying and sharing what we can and need.

Recently our time spent together has provided us with fewer challenges, more laughter, and some senior moments! Since we relocated to Peru to serve the Lord, our friends have supported us in practical ways beyond our comprehension. They stand in the gap for us. They are always available to us. Since we are getting older, walking the neighborhood streets to the market and carrying home groceries is manageable, but more so now that we have a cart to help, thanks to our friends.

Whether it is attending a church or school social event together, or watching television; we always have a great time. Whether it is a smorgasboard of tasty dishes, or microwaved left overs we are eating; we always have a good time. Lunch on the front porch, ice cream at the local stand, cups of coffee/tea, all have their own memories of living life together. When serving the Lord together doing carpentry, cooking, counting pills, cleaning, or carrying a mattress, we always have a good time. We might be giving each other a difficult time over wearing mismatched shoes to a funeral, suggesting a belly rub would solidify a relationship, or needing three trips to the airport for one flight. We live life together.

Why? Why would this friendship last over 21 years? Because this life we share has one common bond that brings us closer than a brother and that is Jesus Christ! HE is the reason. The Christians in the first church we read about in Acts, met together in homes, celebrated the Lord’s supper, were devoted to learning and fellowship. They had everything in common and gave to those in need. They were happy (glad and sincere hearts) and they praised God together. Living life together seems to be the pattern that was set for us as brothers and sisters in Christ.

We are so blessed to journey with Jesus, and the Kubler family. We thank the Lord for such good friends with whom we can share life and serve Him; living His plan.