Small Group Pen Pals

I grew up during a time when…

• Text messaging was done by sending a letter or postcard through the mail system
• Home (and car) air conditioning was made up of fans and open windows
• Calls were made by dialing on phones that were tied to the wall and couldn’t be taken with you as you traveled
• Frozen dinners where heated up in the oven (not the microwave kind)
• Navigation was done by using several maps printed on paper

We also didn’t have much knowledge of other countries except what was written in the Encyclopedias (expensive set of printed books). So it was exciting when I had the opportunity at school to send a letter to a fellow student in another country and receive a reply back.

In a small way I was able to learn something more about a different culture. I was able to have a brief connection with another student far away. It encouraged me and I hope it encouraged the others who received my letters.

Tonight I read an article by Amy Jackson called Are There Small Groups in Other Countries? As I was reading the article, my mind immediately traveled back to that time I was a pen pal with students in other countries. Then I asked myself, “Why can’t small groups do the same thing with small groups in other countries?”

Technology has made it much easier to find and communicate with people in other countries.

• There is an international network of small group point people
• We can send emails, call on mobile phones and even have video conversations
• There are apps that translate between almost any languages you can think of

Small groups in different countries can encourage and support each other. The online video technology allows these same groups to participate in a portion of each other’s meetings from time-to-time. It could even lead to a partnership of a project that accomplishes something bigger for God than can be imagined!

Consider if becoming pen pals with a sister small group in another country is something your group should do. If you take on this idea and make it your own, please let me know about your experience.

Question: What are some benefits you believe would come as a result of linking with another small group outside your country? You can leave a comment by clicking here.