Recently I had an experience in my neighbourhood complex.  I served my mission in the UK and had developed a greater interest in soccer (football) and our complex plays every Friday.  I live in student family housing here at the University of Calgary.  Most of the other residents of the complex are graduate students from around the world.  There was about twenty guys there, and they were all Arabs, which I didn't have a problem with.  I did not know anybody that was there.  Nobody welcomed me, when I got on the pitch and stood there, waiting for instructions.  I grabbed a pinny, 'cause that was what people were doing.  One person introduced himself, and I introduced myself to a few of the other guys.  The game proceeded, but everyone spoke in Arabic.  I do not speak Arabic.  So after an hour of play and getting eaten by mosquitos I packed it in.  I do not know if I will go back. 

I did not anticipate that I had such a great need for comradre until this had happened.  Normally I do not seek out looking for friends, as I am rather content with my family interactions.  What made this hard I think is that I was playing a team sport, and I felt that rather than being on a team, I was on a side filling a position.

A few Sundays ago a Stake leader was sharing with us that after several hundred interviews with new converts the main reason that they join the Church is the feeling of unity and friendship.  Intellectually I understood this concept, as a lot of people are looking for something in their life, and a social void is filled when they engage in activities with the Church.  I think I can now better emphasize with these people as they come to a church that has its own language and people with established friendships, and if they do not feel welcomed in they will have no desire to return. 

I was quite impressed with the life lesson that Heavenly Father taught me out on the soccer field that day.

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