From AB, 2004
I would like to be able to compare single life to married life, especially in “mission” work.  I want to know what dangers single people tend to fall into, and how to avoid them or use them for ministry. 

Quote from Stepping Out, page 127 (chapter called Suddenly Significant Others by Terry Bulicek and Linda Olson, about Romance on the Field:    “You’re the loser in terms of the personal growth you might have experienced during your short term.

Thoughts by AB, 2003

Get involved with the locals socially.

-Stay in the Word and prayer daily.

-Keep in good contact with fellow missionaries.

-Find an activity or pastime to do daily (jogging, swimming, free-reading, etc.).

-Keep in touch with your immediate family at home and good friends.

From KB video:

-Have a personal health plan figured out and learn about medicines and diseases.

-Maintain spiritual discipline in prayer and in the word to God.

-Keep a journal.

-Being single, you get out in the culture more, and get to know the language faster (JF).

-It is often times easier to raise support for a single person, rather than for a whole family (H).

Interview with JG:

-Being single helped Ms. G to learn the Chinese language much better.

-Being single brought loneliness to her, but Ms. G said that this loneliness turned into a blessing that strengthened her relationship with God.

-Being single allowed Ms. G the opportunity to eat-out more, try different foods, and in-turn, better know the Taiwanese culture.

2.  Thoughts by BP..80. A Good Bargain- Single Missionaries

· Single missionaries, both male and female, deserve our appreciation, our

admiration and our encouragement.  · Single life on the mission field is not easy.  

o It is lonely without the joys and fulfillment of a family

· Single missionaries are mobile

o They can serve in remote areas where families could not be brought

o Moving from one place to another is less complicated

· Financially, single missionaries are a bargain for the church

o There are a staggering costs for large missionary families

§ Medical, travel, educational

· Often, there is more dedication in single missionaries

o Less family responsibilities, interruptions and emergencies

Mission Work in Today’s World, pg. 170-171

Single vs. Married

Single missionaries have an advantage in being able to assimilate into the

language and culture faster. Married missionaries have the opportunity to

model a Christian marriage.

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