First Friday Feature: Perpetual Friendships

With Mother's Day coming up soon, I wanted to feature some special ladies, and our get-togethers, which I have thoroughly enjoyed the past few years. Bev Entz, a dear friend of my mom's from way back, and her daughter, Kerri Sasnett, both live near Charlotte, NC. Bev and her husband, Jim, were missionaries in New Guinea with Wycliffe Bible Translators. When Kerri married Todd, the son of missionaries to Brazil, followed the same call as their parents and have spent their married lives serving with WBT and the Seed Company, both overseas in Cameroon, and now at headquarters. 

​Several years ago, we began a tradition of meeting in Concord, NC, for lunch at Cracker Barrel. Several times we added antiquing afterward at The Depot. It has been a joy to keep up and spend time with Bev and Kerri  while we've lived in Hickory. Mom and Dad were big missionary supporters and they passed that on to me, for which I am grateful. Mom always taught me that being part of getting out the Gospel by sending others, is as much a calling as being a missionary. Bev is retired, but Dennis and I are honored to be on Todd and Kerri's team as partners in prayer and support, just like my parent's were.

At our last lunch a few weeks ago, Kerri presented me with a copy of a New Testament in another language that had just been translated for the first time. It amazes and humbles me to think that while I have multiple Bibles at my fingertips, some peoples have never seen or heard God's Word in their heart language. I love being part of making that happen.

When we move, we will not stop our lunches and antique shop visits, just change the city where we meet. I know my mom smiles in Heaven every time we get together. 

​Another missionary that I don't see as often is Janet Roudybush McClanahan. My parents supported Janet when she first went to Brazil many years ago. When Dennis and I married, we joined her prayer and support team. We keep in touch by email and Facebook, but it's been several years since I've seen her. That is mostly because Janet, now in her 80's, is still serving the Lord in Brazil! She's been in the US for a few months for medical reasons, but she will be back on her mission field soon. This photo was taken right before Mom moved to NC with us back in 2002 or so. 

​I am thankful to have theses precious ladies in my life. If your mother is in Heaven today, I encourage you this month to reach out to her friends that may still be here, and wish them a Happy Mother's Day. You will both be glad you did.