Friendships!

One of my favorite things to do is to listen to the North Americans talk about their love for Guatemala. I see the excitement on their faces and hear the joy in their voices. I am taking advantage of having some guest blog writers express their love for our ministry or to challenge each of you.

This blog is written by Stephanie Bryant Frazier:

Deidra said I’m allowed to write about anything but her. I don’t usually listen to her about much. However, I’m writing this on her birthday, so I’ll comply. Sort of.

My trip to Grace Mountain the last few days has looked a little different than past trips. I usually come with a suitcase full of gifts and heart full of expectations for all the time I will get to spend with Esvin and Sebastian. I long for the good meals prepared by Daisy and Delmy. I treasure the good laughs I’ll get to have around the table with Daisy, Delmy, Sabrina, Chino, Ingrid, and many other Guatemalan brothers and sisters. And don’t get me started on all the smiles and hugs given and received when the children get out of school each day.

This week while I still looked forward to all those things, I came to see my friend, Deidra. I have thought a lot about “friendship” and all that word encompasses the last couple weeks. Most of us are probably friendly to many people but true and enduring friendship is rare. I recently readthat the first problem in the world was not sin but solitude.

“Then God said, “It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him a helper as his partner.” Genesis 2:18

We see the importance of friendship and community demonstrated throughout the Bible. God made us for true friendship- to be deeply connected, to stand in the gap for one another, to love one another as he has loved us, and sometimes to pedal our friend uphill on a bicycle until she makes it home. Sacrificial friendship. Whether in Guatemala, Grand Bay, Michigan, or even Auburn (that last one hurt).

She won’t tell you this but I will, one of the best ways you can be a friend to Deidra and her girls is to come see them. Has it been a few years since you’ve been to Grace Mountain? I can assure you it has changed if it’s been even a year. Join a trip and come minister to those they love so deeply. Visit with them. Love on her girls. Build houses in the community. Play soccer with the coolest kids on the mountain, and worship a Savior together that makes it all possible.

If you can’t come, pray. Pray for the ministry, the spiritual battles, the girls, Deidra, and the still breathtaking grief from the loss of one of the best ambassadors of friendship that I have ever known.

“Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.” John 15:13