A Tribute To My Church Pals

Friendships. That's a rather subjective word for many people. Some only classify friends as people whom they can share their deepest secrets with, while others classify them as anyone who addresses them on the street.
As for me, I tend to classify people under my friends list, as people whom I can click and strike a good conversation, not forgetting the same common values that we share.
I have a few group of friends. Mainly my A.C.S pals that I used to hang out with over the weekends, chilling to some jazz over a cup of coffee and some cakes. If not, we will be going for spins in the car, and probably late night clubbing and supper at times. There's also my group of Dragonboat buddies, whom I'll see every weekend afternoons at Kallang Sea Sports Club, where we share our passion of sportsmanship and keeping fit and the ultimate goal of wining the gold medal at every race. The never say die attitude still rings on till today after I've decided to leave the sport temporarily for my studies in England. Then there is my group of Polytechnic mates, whom I have the greatest pleasure in sharing my wildest jokes and crap with. Really a happy go lucky group of energetic babes and guys. Last but not least, the group who has really stood by me, not for a long time, but long enough for me to take heart that this group of friends are one hell of a bunch of great friends that I can really imagine growing old with. These are my church cell group mates.
The group has started to form not too long ago, probably about 2 years back. Sadly, I didn't give much time and effort into the group. Always too busy with my Dragonboat training, studies, AC pals, well, and probably some girls who came along the way and made my life somewhat rocky. I wished I had joined them more and probably gave up the time I spent on those girls a miss. I mean at this point in my life, I feel friends are probably a more important factor than girls who are confused and don't know what they really want. Enough of all the surface talk, Lets get into greater detail.
The group is runned by this fellow brother and friend of mine called Raja, AKA Ravi. This guy is the Guru, because he is the most Christ like person whom I've ever met. Never seen him angry before. Come to think of it, maybe once, when some people called him a Marsian, but that was many years back. Despite his great knowledge of the Bible, he never fails to be humble and used it to answer all the weird theories and questions that we would always never fail to ask him directly. Guess that makes him a good teacher. NIE trained too. Always there to guide us in Christian values, so that we stay out of trouble. Well that's up to you to imagine. His genuine love, honesty and truthfulness to people never fails to amaze me. A guy who is able to show the kind nature of God himself.
Another member of the group whom I shared a part of my childhood days growing up with is Stephen. Our days went all the way back in the year 1992, when his dad met my dad in a joint SAF exercise between the Army and the Airforce. I could still remember the times when my family used to have meals at his home, where his parents are always so ever hospitable. I still have the pleasure of enjoying such hospitality till today when the dudes and I drop by his place after cell group for some food and drinks as we catch live EPL matches and movies. Will really miss those days when I get to England. He never fails to make us comfortable in his home which I had the opportunity to spend the first years of my Christian life playing around in. Its always these simple and fun activities like chilling at the prata place together, watching movies over a can of rootbeer helping each other pick clothes and enjoy helping each other out in church activities that really bite deep into my very bone. As compared to all the politics, strive, backstabbing, comparing, and trying to impress kind of attitudes that are everywhere. This is the group where I can be just myself and share all my failures and distress without being laughed at. Its just the genuine care and concern that each member have for each other that makes me feel the uniqueness of the group.
Next in the list is Jon. Although most of our conversation is about fashion and stuff, I really think this guy has got the compassion for others that will truely make a great friend. One that will go all out for his friends and one that treasures great friendships. Always advising me on certain things really portrays the care and concern he has for others.
Then there is Sean, a friend who shows his friendship out of the actions he do, like making sure he gives me a lift all the way to my doorstep, when he could simply just drop me at the guard house of my residence. A genuine and thoughtful friend indeed.
There are others in the group that I have the pleasure of coming to know as well, and can't think of what to write at this moment because it's like 4 in the morning and I'm really tired. I promise to write about everyone in the group, but my main purpose of this short and simple passage is just a tribute to my church pals and a hope for anyone out there who feels that there is no true friend in this world.
These people are friends that I believe I can grow in the Lord with and grow old together. I must say, at this point, I really feel gay writing all these stuff, but at least I wrote it.