mates

it has been great to catch up with old friends.  one of my dearest friends is scott (seen here on the right).  this picture was taken last friday as scotty and another mate (steve - we all worked together 10 years ago in a computer software store!) had lunch in the city. scotty and i grew up together and it was on our 3-month journey through africa, europe, and the United States that i first came to visit Asbury Seminary...and that visit in 1997 was the beginning of a very slippery slope :)

anyway, we are hanging out again and enjoying our friendship and the joy of our wives getting to know each other.  we're also glad to introduce our sons to one another.  there is a strange comfort in being with life-long friends.  it's easy to pick up from where you left off, be it months or years since the last visit.  there's also a sadness in this particular circumstance, knowing our lives are rooted in very distant places.  but for now i'm relishing the chance to talk about old times, enjoy banter about footy and movies, and to share hopes and aspirations we have for ourselves and our children.