I received a letter today from one of my close friends from Florida who is now a missionary in Africa. She left St. Cloud (my hometown) 6 months after I did. We had very different experiences there with friends. I had a plethora and apparently she struggled. I wanted to share with you an exerpt of her e-mail about friendships, because it just gives you a glimpse into how important friends are. Please, please, please pray for some friends for us. My heart is so burdened and at times I just cry and cry out of loneliness here. And I question God and ask Him why he made me so social and outgoing, only to bring me to a place of isolation? Here's her excerpt:
"There’s a great mission community here and it’s been so much easier to make friends here than it was in St. Cloud. Really, you can’t even imagine the difference. I feel like I have so many friends, and I’ve decided I’d rather put up with no power, no water, no internet, terrible cell phone coverage, and worries about security than to live somewhere nice without good friends. I’m sorry you don’t have that kind of community where you are. Clearly you’re a terrific person, but I know some places just have more friendly people than others. The culture here isn’t that friendly, per se, but the other missionaries have been very welcoming."
Can you imagine needing friends so much that you would give up water, internet, phone and security? In the past I would've said "NO WAY, would I give up those things," but I am seriously at that point now that I WOULD. Sometimes I go out to the South Cone and wish I could just live out there to be around people ALL day and to have friends. That's a bit desperate if you actually saw the conditions, but I was relieved to see that my friend in Africa understands the need. I praise God He has blessed her so abundantly with people and not necessarily modern conviences. I guess we can't have it all, but I'm still praying!
Sunday, May 3, 2009
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2 comments:
I completely understand, and I have struggled with the loneliness as well. I agree that it is better to have friends than all that "stuff", although I love my showers... I prayed for years to find good friends where we lived, and strangely, it didn't happen until God moved us back here. He does have a plan for you, and He knows your desire for friends, just know that He will provide in His timing. I love you and I am praying!
Will it be better/easier once you move to the house instead of the high rise? Will there be more Americans/missionaries in that area? How is it going with the Awana, etc.? Are you getting to know other families that way?
Shawna
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