As parents, we encourage our kid(s) with confidence and give them the skills to make friends, whether they are at the playground or school. Making friends as a kid is hard and scary, but making friends as an adult, especially overseas, can be its own kind of hard.

When my husband and I first moved overseas, we were the only Westerners within a 60-mile radius. In those early days of ministry and adjusting to life in Africa, we struggled with loneliness and longed for people who could relate to our experiences. We tried our best to meet new people, but as we all know, people come and go pretty frequently in the mission field. Just as we started getting close to someone, life would shift, they would move away, and then a new wave of people would come in. It was difficult to find the depth of friendship that we once had in the States.

After three years, we were so desperate for community that we decided to host a fellowship lunch for missionaries—a time for good food, connection, and the hope of forming deeper friendships. The turnout was great, but hosting the event ended up being so much work that I barely had time to sit down and talk to anyone.

A few days later, a couple reached out to say they couldn’t make it to the event but wanted to get together. We said, “OF COURSE.” When we met, they had just arrived on a motorbike in the rain, completely soaked, but we immediately bonded over lemon bars and a game of Ticket to Ride.

They quickly became our family. I knew I could call them at any moment and be met with empathy and understanding. They were God’s gift of joy that came into our lives at the time we needed it the most.

Their friendship reminds me of David and Jonathan in 1 Samuel 18:1: “After David had finished talking with Saul, Jonathan became one in spirit with David, and he loved him as himself.”

From that moment on, David and Jonathan truly “lived life together”. They came from very different backgrounds and positions, yet God brought them into deep, meaningful friendship. They became a source of strength for one another as they faced impossible circumstances.

In the same way God cared for David and Jonathan.

God cared for us then and He cares for you now.

While each person’s journey is different, the truth remains: God provides friendship, encouragement, and strength in moments when life feels overwhelming—sometimes in small, quiet ways, sometimes in profound or big ways. And sometimes, the most unexpected friendships become the richest and most life-giving experiences overseas.

I pray you’ll be able to lean into His truth and all the beautiful things He has ahead for you. When loneliness tries to settle in, may you rest in the confidence of your Heavenly Father and trust His timing and provision.

Are you looking for a community where you can connect with others and find resources to help you process your journey overseas?