Strangers are just friends waiting to happen. ~Rod McKuen

Some friendships take years to happen.  Yet, there are others which seem to blossom overnight.  Such is the way of mission tours.  I find it so amazing to be in a foreign country for such a short time, yet leave behind a bit of my heart each and every time I go. 

I just got back from a week trip to Brazil, the main purpose of which was to set up the longer tour in the summer.  I got to see some dear friends which I hadn't seen for many months, yet also had the joy to meet some new Christian brothers and sisters.  Even though most didn't even speak any English (and my Portuguese wasn't much better) I still felt as though I had known them for years.  

Take, for example, Neto (in the picture above).  Neto and I had the joint vocabulary of about 5 words that each of us understood.  Yet, after only 2 days, there was a teary goodbye when we had to leave.  We really didn't have much in common.  He didn't play soccer.  He didn't speak English.  He was in to hip hop (both American and Brazilian).  But we did have 2 things that we shared. First and foremost, he was my brother in Christ.  That alone brought us closer than anything could have.  We also shared the joy of laughter and good times.  Anytime we were together, we were laughing.  Laughter is a language that needs no interpreter. 

I got to spend 3 days at a Christian camp for kids ages 12-25, who wanted an alternative to Carnival (the Brazilian equivalent of Mardi Gras).  While most all of the country was indulging in so many carnal pleasures, these 300 young people were delving into the True meaning of life.  Worship, followed by an AMAZING youth speaker, was always followed by fellowship and crazy games.  Unsurprisingly, teens are teens all over the world.  We had so much fun.  Designing a 300 yard zip line, a 30 foot climbing wall, and my favorite, was blow up soap soccer (which I have yet to see in the United States, but is a MUST HAVE).  Basically, it is a "jumpy house" with two soccer goals at each end.  But the best is that they put dishsoap and water in the base, so you slide and fall while trying to score goals.  It was amazing!

The relationships that we built in those 3 days will last a lifetime.  The Relationship that some of the kids received in the worship will last into eternity.  I think this is how God wanted the world to work.  Putting aside all preconceived notions, ambitions, and judgments, and just loving each other.  What a blessing these people are to my life. 

This is what I want my tour team to accomplish this summer.  And, Lord willing, develop the same deep relationships that amazingly are seeded in just a few hours of being together in Christ.