“Hello, brother-from-another-mother!”

This is what we heard when we finally got to meet our new friends, Joseph and Sola (pronounced “Shola”). We already knew we had much in common ,and seemed to be “kindred spirits”…but we had no idea how truly and deeply we would identify with them…with their journey.

It was eerie, at times, and there were many moments during the evening when Byron could’ve finished Joseph’s sentence, and vice versa - the similarities were both comforting…and heartbreaking. The excitement for the vision God has burned in them was so much like our own…and the path they’ve walked to follow that vision, also like ours:  so full of hope and promise, and so littered with loss and betrayal.

Sola is one cool chic. She’s a couple of years older than I am, but looks a decade younger…

I knew by looking into her eyes that we had an understanding…we’ve been traversing, in many ways, parallel paths - and now we can share our joys…and even compare scars if we feel like it.

We had a blast. It was refreshing and comforting to be in the presence of fellow laborers that needed no explanation from us about our tendency to be “gun shy”…and, after 30 seconds, we knew we were safe. The rest was just like the carrot cake (with rum raisin sauce) that I had for dessert: Phenomenal!

Thanks, Joseph and Sola! This journey is so much more fun with friends like ya’ll to share it with. Blessings…

Peace.