One day Love will bring us back around again

The last time I saw Rudy Digea I was getting on a boat in Dipolog City in the Northwest section of Mindanao. That was 20 years ago. Today when we saw each other here in Davao in the hotel lobby it was like nothing had ever changed. We picked back up with a hug and moist eyes, which was the way we had left.

We spent the next hour talking about old friends and old times. We mainly laughed a lot and planned for the next four days of ministry together. He has his team, about 15 of them here in Davao city for a YWAM meeting. They have a Jeepney and a small car. There are 8 in our team and we have rented a van to caravan with them to Cagayan de Oro. It seems appropriate that I would spend the first day with my old YWAM mobile team partner doing another road trip on Mindanao.

We have been in Davao a week. It seems longer in terms of all we have experienced, but too short now that it is time to say goodbye to our new Vineyard friends. We replicated the party we threw last Wednesday night when we arrived - same house, same food, same people, but a much different bonding. We sang, shared affirmations, gave gifts and cried.

There were promises of email, phone texts and return visits. I watched what was happening in the students in quiet amazement, seeing myself in them a couple of decades ago. Lingering in the air tonight is hope, hope that the reunions that are being planned are not just empty promises, but as Rudy and I experienced today, ones that really can and do happen.

Here is where the road divides
Here is where we realize
The sculpting of the fathers great design
Thru time youve been a friend to me
But time is now the enemy
I wish we didnt have to say goodbye
But I know the road he chose for me
Is not the road he chose for you
So as we chase the dreams were after

Pray for me and Ill pray for you
Pray that we will keep the common ground
Wont you pray for me and Ill pray for you
And one day love will bring us back around again
- Michael W. Smith