Is a global woman worker similar to or different from you or the average woman sitting next to you in church?

There are so many similarities! These women are moms, wives, single women, grandmas. They struggle with many of the same things you do: raising children, balancing marriage and ministry, finding friends, being separated from children and grandchildren by an ocean or continent.

But there are also significant differences. One of the surprising differences many volunteers discovered was the fact that many women feel they live in a fishbowl. They are scrutinized by their friends, family, and supporters to the point where they can’t be transparent. One woman told of her joy of being invited to someone’s home and being served steak and asparagus. After posting this gift from God on social media, she was criticized for eating steak, as her supporters felt she was being extravagant. Another told of losing supporters because she posted a picture after spending a day at the lake with friends. The small holiday cost her nothing, but the supporters commented that she wasn’t suffering enough. How sad is that!

Many of them crave intimacy, especially with other women, but they live in remote locations and are often the only expat for miles around. Thankfully, many discovered new friends nearby.

One woman traveled here with someone she only vaguely knew. Imagine her delight to discover her loving Father had placed them as roommates together in the hotel. Thrive assigns women to small groups and hotel rooms with little or no prior knowledge of these specifics, but the Lord knows exactly what each one needs, and He makes these perfect arrangements. Many WhatsApp groups were formed, and plans were made to spend the Christmas holidays together. 

So the volunteers are leaving with new insight into the life of a global worker. We pray we are forever changed by this experience.