Friends Reunited

Sparkly laughter, bubbly voices, joyful smiles and warm hugs.

That's what happens when these three meet together after two and a half years apart.

Claire went to high school here in Czech with these dear friends, Hayley and Magda. Soon after graduation back in 2013, Claire and Hayley left for college in the States while Magda stayed here for university.

And that was the last time all three of them were together. For best friends, that's a long time.

And for missionary kids, this is the joy, and the pain, in their lives. Deep, meaningful relationships developed during formative years, but now an ocean away. The life of a missionary kid is a rich one, but also not easy.

As these three sipped tea and chatted in our kitchen this afternoon, my heart both rejoiced and ached for them. I wish they could have these visits way more often. It does all of them such good to be together.

I can't pretend to know what it feels like to be a missionary kid, to know what kinds of emotion pass through on a day like today. That's something unique to my kids, and all other missionary kids.

But, as I have often done for my own missionary kids, I can pray. Pray for these three, that their few short hours together would be nourishing and meaningful in order to sustain them until they meet again.

I'm so happy they had today with each other.