Basic philosophy of Friendship Force International It means that if people can visit each other’s homes and spend a few days, they can break down the differences that otherwise seem to separate us.
It was started by Wayne Smith in 1977. He is a former Presbyterian missionary who organized a homestay exchange between Georgia and a Brazilian state in 1973. He convinced Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter to support it, and when Carter was running for president, Wayne challenged him. To make the concept bigger. With his help, a non-governmental nonprofit organization was established, with Mrs. Carter as honorary president.
The first exchange took place between Newcastle and Atlanta. Later they formed twins as cities. Chartered planes carried more than 300 people each way, staying for a week in the homes of volunteer families in the host city. The program has grown over the years and is headquartered here in Atlanta.
I joined the staff in 1983. He served as president and CEO from 2004 until his retirement in 2013. My most memorable experience was organizing a trip to Moscow with 350 Americans in May 1992 to celebrate the first post-communist May Day with Russian friends. Little did we know that the friendship between our two countries would not last as long as we had hoped.
By the time I retired in 2013, there were around 350 clubs in over 50 countries. And 5,000 Friendship Ambassadors travel every year. Each club agrees to host one or more of his groups of 20 people each year. Instead, they had the opportunity to be hosted in another country. It started as an American organization but became more international over time. Exchanges do not necessarily include American partners.
There’s always a problem to deal with — natural disasters, economic hardship, war and the threat of war, and visa and other travel issues — but through it all, the friendly forces continued to operate. COVID-19 and other challenges have reduced their numbers, but they are still active.
When I was seven years old, my parents went to Korea as Presbyterian missionaries. And for 10 years, that was my life. I lived in South Korea and attended a Japanese high school as a boarding school. Both of my grandparents were missionaries in China and Korea. I received my Ph.D. He studied international relations and taught for several years before joining the staff of the Friendship Corps. I’ve held other jobs at international nonprofits and universities, but I always ended up coming back to Friendship Force.
I have had the great privilege of traveling, At the age of seven, he boarded a cargo ship from Texas to Japan, swam in Lake Baikal in Siberia, rode a night train in Thailand, circumnavigated Cape Horn in South America, sailed to Iceland and Greenland, and sailed from Budapest to the Danube. Riding the river, the Black Sea. I have stayed with and hosted friends from all over Europe, Asia, Australia and New Zealand.
There are still a few places on my list that I haven’t been to yet. But now, at 78, I’m focused on where I want to go back. I love visiting Japan and am fascinated by Britain: its history, natural beauty, cities, sidewalks and pubs.
Salisbury and Salem College is one of the highlights of my life. Last year, I brought 34 American seniors to England to spend time there. I want to find a way to give more Americans a unique Salem experience, so I’ve created several sample itineraries and themes for Americans.
I have always imagined the value of having congregational exchange between the American and British churches. It’s the same way Friendship Force has done with secular clubs. For too many Americans, their only encounter with British churches today is a tour of an empty cathedral. Why not take some time to learn about the religious experience in Britain today?
I was told to know God and love God. I did the same when I was a boy. By the time I graduated from college, things had changed. Although I no longer believed in the literal Bible or other aspects of evangelical Christianity, for the most part I remained an active Presbyterian. It’s part of my heritage, and I’ve been in a Presbyterian church that values social justice. Family is important, but it’s not enough.
My wife is Jewish, so I got to know a little about the faith — at least in the American Reform Jewish tradition. At best, it’s a more fundamental faith. God has given us life, so we should be good to ourselves and others. There’s a song called “” by Debbie Friedman that is based on God’s call to Abraham.Elch Luck”: “Go out into a land that I will show you, a land that you do not know, and I will bless you, and you will be a blessing.” If we follow God’s guidance, we will be blessed. Sho. But just as importantly, we are blessed.
what makes me angry?The terrifying influence our politics, especially President Trump, have had on many Americans these days.? Don’t even get me started on that. . . But it’s not just Trump. I am angry and disappointed that despite our vast wealth, our country is not doing more to solve our social problems. Not to mention guns.
Americans are wonderful people, And I don’t know why we ended up the way we did. The tremendous diversity of our people and geography represents a strength, but perhaps also makes it difficult to unify. Our political structure is very difficult to change, even if change is necessary and the majority of the population wants it.
It’s fun to drink cocktails with friends Doing daily activities with my wife, having our dogs welcome us home, spending time at our cabin, and watching our four grandchildren grow up. I would also like to mention my girlfriend’s three daughters and her one son. I’m so proud of them.
I expect Biden to be re-elected. It will bring hope. Otherwise, I think there will be a lot of despair. I hope that the terrible war in Gaza will somehow come to an end, that new leadership will emerge on both sides, and that peace will come between Israel and Palestine. I also feel hopeful when I hear the Salisbury choir sing, “As it was in the beginning, now is, and ever will be, a world without end.” I don’t know if the world will ever achieve that “without end”, but that chant has been around for centuries and has been sung through wars, poverty, and pestilence.
I don’t pray in a very formal way. Perhaps in an informal way. My mother of five children prayed for a different child every day. I was the second child. So I was on Tuesday. Maybe you should do it for your children and grandchildren. With 8 people, someone has to share her day. I am seriously praying for the health of myself, my wife, and our family. The church also offers our community’s prayers for social justice and peace.
I don’t choose to be confined to a church famous person I know a lot about them already so I might be disappointed. Probably my grandfather Brown, who was a missionary in China from 1910 until 1949. He died when I was his teenager. I wonder about him and his life. Or, if it’s Salisbury Cathedral, I might be trapped with Ken Follett, the Salisbury-based author of the Kingsbridge novels. I would like to talk to him about his novels and find out if they have the same spiritual appeal for him as they have for me.
George Brown was talking to Terrence Handley McMath.
friendshipforce.org; or UK branch: friendsforce.org.uk