“This is nearing a medical emergency. You need surgery tonight.” 

Not what I expected to hear on a Sunday afternoon. I am a mother and middle school P.E. teacher so my mind was swimming through details I needed to get settled in a matter of hours before surgery. 

I called the middle school principals to arrange for a substitute teacher. My husband wanted to be with me in the hospital that night, so we would also need a place for our daughter to stay where we trusted her to be safe. 

In a community filled with global workers of like faith, I sometimes feel that having sudden, real needs is frowned upon in an unspoken way. Or it feels like people want to appear to be tirelessly serving without actually having personal plans disrupted. One does not simply ask for help when it is not “ministry” related. Helping a fellow global worker out of the public eye, with no promise of exciting social media blurbs or photos for prayer letters does not seem popular. Many other global workers over the years have shared with me they also perceive their communities to be this way. Maybe the reality is different, but living in a community of global workers can sometimes bring on intense feelings of isolation and loneliness. It’s easy to close off one’s heart and become bitter.  

So when I suddenly had to consider asking someone if my daughter could stay overnight, I felt uncomfortable. I had the fear of being judged in so many ways. I did not want to feel social rejection. But I had to do it, so I found some courage and called the mother of my daughter’s friend. I trust her character of being a person who my daughter would be safe with physically, emotionally, spiritually, etc. 

She said yes. 

My daughter was able to stay at a friend’s house with a family I was unafraid to trust with her wellbeing. 

What is more amazing – there was no reluctance in her response when I asked if my daughter could stay overnight and ride to school with their family. No hint of annoyance or complaint. There was no community applause for helping me. She helped quietly and dependably when I had a dire need. She asked for nothing in return. 

In a community of global workers where loneliness and isolation are easy to feel, this woman was kind to my family. Her actions reminded me that God is, and that He cares for His global worker children who often feel misunderstood, unwanted, and invisible. I am thankful for a woman whose character – especially when no one was watching – indicated that she believes the life and teachings of Jesus are real.