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The thing is, I don't have to justify having non-Christian friendships because of the fact that "I might get to witness to them," for that is not true friendship. Humanness is important to God, therefore I take it to be important in my relationships, whether Christian or non. And lastly, my zeal for God has actually been increased because of my knowlege. Now, he is a much bigger God, and much more worthy to be worshiped. Now, he desires that I be sent "into the world," not just a small Christian subculture. Now he desires that I seek him in all that I do, not just in Bible studies or church services, but in theaters, parks, places of employment, and pubs.

Youth is a vulnerable time, especially for young believers. You found your faith deformed by YWAM, an organization that does much good. I dropped a few years bumming around the east coast with a Pentecostal tent crusade, and a Baptist street mission. Less favored kids got sucked up into cultic organizations.

We are blessed to enjoy the friendship of some Turkish Muslims. One personable young grad student is a surrogate "big sister" for my two youngest girls. Seeing that Christians don't have the monopoly on piety and generosity helps to clarify the doctrines of grace. Also, having beloved non-Christians to pray for over dinner makes evangelistic concerns practical, rather than theoretical.