all the single ladies

This past month and a half I have had the unique opportunity of sharing life with men and women who have made vows of chastity and poverty to better serve the God they love.  The Catholic church is structured to welcome the service of single women and men, and to support them in their chosen lifestyle through forming communities of work and support.  The nuns I work with share everything with their fellow sisters - work, chores of daily life, organization of daily liturgies and service to their neighbors.

I have always been drawn to the idea of living a monastic lifestyle, and I found other outlets of community living though places like Covenant Bible College in Ecuador, and Reba Place Fellowship in Evanston. My international family here has been a glimpse of heaven in many ways - people from 18 different nations coming together to live, to work, to learn with the end goal to serve the people of God and see the Kingdom come.

I appreciate the structure that supports my single Catholic brothers and sisters.  The Covenant Church does not have the size or capacity to have the same kind of structure, but it is something I have been reflecting on as I embark on the next stage of my life as a single missionary.  Our church culture welcomes married couples and singles alike into ministry, but I sometimes wonder if there could be an improved support system for single men and women in ministry?  We don't have spouses and families to fall back on in times of need, we are utterly reliant on the church community to fill that place in our lives.  It can be a beautiful thing to be humbled and vulnerable, but scary too.  We have to keep faith that God will bring individuals into our lives to keep us accountable, to challenge us and to encourage us during those moments when we start to lose sight of our hope and purpose.

I recognize the many blessings that go with me during my time here and France, and that will follow me as I begin work in Congo this spring.  I am not alone because I have a cloud of witnesses cheering me on and covering me in prayer.  If you're reading this, you are probably one of that family.  When I don't have a family to turn to, I remember that you are lifting me up with love, in prayer.  So, thank you, and remember that your partnership with me on this journey is not only welcomed, it's essential for me in overcoming doubts and fears of working as a single woman in the Congo.