Recently I have noticed that a couple of my friends that are JWs, especially this one guy that I play sports with. In the beginning he was just there because of a friend, but later on he came more often and we became friends. From the start, I knew there was something different about him. He was quiet most of the time when there were a lot of people, and he always gave short and brief answers. But there was more to him than just that, for some reason, he's different from typical teenagers. For one thing, he's extremely polite and very considerate of the others. He used to give a ride to this friend every time they come to play sports, and he would mainly watch and pick up the balls or keep the score the first few times he came. Later on, he got better and he started playing competition with the rest of the group. Later on he became more outspoken when there were just my brother, his friend, him and I playing. Another thing that I noticed about him was that whenever we play on Tuesday and Thursday, he would have to leave early, and he comes late whenever we play on Saturdays. But other than that, I just thought he was unique, and sort of respected him.
Everything started when I locked myself out one day, and I went to this other friend's house to wait until my mother comes home. Out of nowhere he called me and told me that he and his other friend are outside of my house ready to play sports. I was surprised because I didn't expect anything like that from him at all. I was pretty happy though, and I was just talking to this friend whose house I stayed at for the afternoon, when she suddenly said that she knows this guy too. She seemed a little surprised (or shocked) that he plays sports with us. Then, she went off telling her mom that the guy and I are friends and we knew each other. I thought it was interesting how they reacted to such little thing. SHe kept on asking questions concerning him and what exactly he does with us for a few days. Not knowing anything about any of their being JW, I said whatever that was on my mind... and through this maybe she sensed that I sort of admired him. It wasn't until later did I find out that she was a JW, and that he goes to the same KH with her. As a matter of fact, his parents were the ones that strengthed her mom's faith and her faith in JW. Later on I learned from my girl JW friend that his dad is an elder. Is that the same as a pastor, or a missionary?
I didn't really think about the JW part because I find my other friend doesn't like to talk about it though she did give me a booklet from the Watchtower about teens and friendships. Everything went on as usual until one day his friend was going to go on a trip somewhere far off, and my brother and I treated them each a drink. Of all things, he picked the smallest cup and the cheapest drink in the store. I knew right away that he was just trying to be polite, so I ordered another "more-decent" drink for him. They were all very grateful, and thanking us sincerely. And about a week later, I woke up one day, and a voice was telling me to go to the mailbox. I thought God was trying to tell me the scholarship that I had been waitting for all this time was in the mailbox. But when I got there, there was no scholarship, but a card from this friend. It was for both my brother and me. In it, there was a really cute "thank you" card, a tract about the JW and two gift cards. I read everything carefully, even the tract (I read it three times and took notes). I actually looked up every Bible verse that was on the tract in my Bible. I didn't noticed anything too wrong with it excpet that some of the wordings were a little different from my NIV version until I got to the part about earthly paradise. Being a Christian all my life and having been told that I would go to heaven after I die, I couldn't, and wouldn't, settle for an earthly paradise just because I wasn't born in an earlier generation to be one of the first 140000. I thanked him for card and everything, but I wasn't ready to talk to him about the tract until he mentions it himself. He never brought that up and later on I could tell he wasn't as open as he had been before. He seemed a little reserved. I really wanted to tell him that I actually read the tract and I appreciated his courage in sharing his faith with us, but I was afraid that he might be interested to tell us more about it and if I were to reject the JW then, he would get offended, and everything would be awkward. When I was younger, my mom would give me Christian pamphlets for me to give to my friends. I used to give it to them with a card or a little gift too, and it always feels good when they tell me they actaully read it even if they don't come to church with me, at least they appreciated and it feels as if I have planted a seed in their hearts. So, I have been thinking lately, should I not mention to him at all? or should I tell him that I read it, appreciated his sharing his faith and that I, too, believe in an afterlife though a different one??
It was his birthday a couple weeks ago, I brought some treats from abroad and was going to give it to him, but I learned that they don't celebrate birthday, and I didn't want to make him uncomfortable. So I shared it among the people that played sports with us, at least he got a piece of his "birthday gift." I remember I tried to give my other JW friend a Christmas gift last year and she just wouldn't take it no matter what. I felt kind of awkward. I know it's too much to ask for me to convert him after reading all the previous posts, but is being friends okay for them if we don't become JWs?? I think he tried to distance himself from us for a while, and sounded a little cold and aloof at first, but after a little while he's back to normal. Somehow I feel like he's like a switch, on and off... I have been praying for him, and I, too, have noticed that his younger brother comes every now and then just to "say hi," but whenever his brother's around, he becomes so quiet and cold all of a sudden. His other friend called his younger brother the security guard, that's when I connect the previous post with this and wondered, do they check on their family like that??
I really don't know who to ask for advise regarding this because I don't have friends that are exJW, and some of you can help me out... thanks!!