Special Friends

Most of us are blessed with good friends whom we see regularly. Time spent together serves as soil in which the relationship grows, and often God uses those relationships in special ways, sharpening and challenging us along the way.

Some of us are also blessed with friends whom we seldom get to see but who seem to be kindred spirits, and there is a closeness that spans both time and distance.

Such is the case with Arlin and Pamela Hendrix, longtime friends and missionaries in Lyon, France. Because of who they are I'm pretty sure we aren't the only ones who feel as we do, but we do consider them to be special friends. Part of that is a common bond in Christ, but the Spirit has woven our hearts together over the years through common experiences, goals, victories and challenges. The result is that when we do have the blessing of being together, it is almost as if we have not been apart.

Such was the case this week. Arlin and Pamela have been stateside on furlough, visiting sponsors, raising support, etc., and their trek of 23 cities eventually brought them to Arlin's home area in Fresno. Thursday they drove north and we drove south, meeting for a long lunch in Turlock. What a blessing it was to be with them, even for just a couple of hours.

Over the years Arlin and Pamela have become such a blessing to missionary efforts in the French speaking world. With Lyon as a base of operation, they reach out to touch works elsewhere in Europe, several African countries, and as far as Guadeloupe in the western hemisphere. Click here to check out their web site.

Thank God for special friends!