A test of friendship

“There are “friends” who destroy each other, but a real friend sticks closer than a brother.”Proverbs‬ ‭18‬:‭24‬ ‭NLT‬‬

A test of friendship is sudden prosperity. We can be used to a friend being ever in need of finance and support,  and when suddenly amazing things happen for them and they are promoted, what do we do?

I have such a friend. She was a long term missionary here in Nepal and then was suddenly sent back to America for 12 months. She did not know what her outcome would be. She stayed in a motel at first and had no money, then she stayed with a friend who was rich and she had everything she needed, then she was moved to another unknown situation, finally a large church came to her aid me gave her a home for a few months and money for a car. We here in Nepal watched in amazement. Her financial woes are over as she now receives a government pension, has a home and a car.

At first I wrote regularly as she needed hope and friendship. Now, she seems to not need close contact as she has new friends. The challenge will be for my friend to stay a friend to us here and for us to also stay a friend to her there. Money and distance makes a difference.

This year will test our friendship and it will test my friend. This is the first time, in a long time, she will be financially free. What will money do to her? To us?

The many years of struggle my friend endured not having people support her and having to work to earn an income took its toll. My friend often complained about the mindset of her American contacts, they did not care. Now, she will be tested just the same.

My role now is to pray for her to come through the test. May the Lord be gracious to her and reveal what is happening so that she does not go through it blind.

Our friendship will be tested!

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