It can be hard to forget—but how you do community, according to John 13:35 here, is actually a huge portion of your evangelism and discipleship. (I know. Mic drop.)

Need ideas to get un-alone overseas?

1. Keep times with friends real.

Perhaps because I seriously struggle with craving others’ approval–I know being with friends ≠ feeling known and connected.

So resist the urge to go into crazy cleaning mode when friends come over. Our relationships tend to need more fingerprints on the wall, less mascara.

Just like judging can beget judging, authenticity begets authenticity. So breathe easy when someone yells for you at your gate during your attempt at a deep conversation at last. Keep it real, and communicate your friends can, too.

2. Get creative with your time.

Whether it’s an early morning walk or jog, dessert after the kids are in bed, low-key cooking classes to learn or teach, a book club, or a group of friends that rotates to a different local restaurant each month, think out of the box, even if your schedule is out of the box.

3. Remember isolation = spiritual dysfunction.

At times, friendships for me have seemed a much bigger risk than being alone. But this flies in the face of God’s design for us to live—and display Himself—as a Body.

(If your pancreas was just doing its thing outside of connection to the rest of your body, this would be a problem, no?)

Living in the boondocks? All the more reason for you to seek out those regular Zoom “coffees” with friends, vacation with another global-worker couple, or ask God for other creative friendship strategies. I doubt He wants you isolated, either.