Ask a Missionary - Catch The Fire

Q:
How do singles living overseas
deal with loneliness and isolation?
A:
Enjoy time alone with God and intentionally
build same-sex friendships.
Loneliness comes in many forms. The answer is to look to the
Lord who promises to be everything we need. It’s so good when we
can rejoice in seasons of time alone with our Father. But he surely
created us to also be in community at times, so being intentional
about building relationships is critical.
In a new place, it’s an easy trap to think that you are the only
one who doesn’t fit in, that everyone else is already set in a group,
and that there is no room for you. Those are lies. God has gone
before you to provide people to love you and to care for you as you
care for others. Continue seeking his face first, and then look for
those women (if you are female) who may be used of God to care
for you.
I strongly recommend against finding men for this role, even
father-figure type men. A more seasoned missionary once cautioned
me, “No matter what the man calls you, sister, daughter, or friend, he
still sees you as a woman.”
Answer from Catherine, who has served with SEND for two years in Alaska.
A:
Be intentional about building family-type
relationships.
The most important thing I’ve learned about being single is that
I still need family. It takes time and effort to build close-knit relationships
with others to the point where you really feel part of a family. You
have to prioritize time to spend with those who are becoming your
SINGLES, COUPLES, AND KIDS: Counting the Cost | 165