I’d like to write about the advantages and disadvantages of being a single guy on the mission field. Much of what I say would also apply to single women, but I’m writing this from my own perspective. I’m hoping to have a post from a single female missionary and see how her thoughts compare to mine. 


ADVANTAGES

Here are some of the advantages of being a single guy on the mission field:

Money

When I first went overseas, I was fully supported by my missionary agency. In other words, I didn’t have to think about money. Salary, insurance, and even housing was fully covered.

Things changed a few years later. I finished my three-year term, but I sensed God wanted me to continue my ministry in the Philippines. There was just one problem—the agency was downsizing personnel in my region. If I were to come back, I’d have to raise my own support and be an independent missionary.

Being single made this decision much easier. Let’s face it—a bachelor can live much more inexpensively than a family. From food to medical insurance, I knew I didn’t have to raise too much money to survive.


Freedom

Once I decided to become a missionary, I simply applied and went. As you can imagine, this is much more simple if you’re single. I didn’t have to consult with my spouse or wait until children finished the school year—I just packed my stuff and hopped on the plane. In other words, singleness offers a great deal of freedom for missionary service.

I live a fairly “domesticated” life—I can walk over to the mall or McDonald’s at any time. Some mission fields, however, are not like mine. I’ve had friends who lived in African mud huts or the jungles of South America. Some of these rugged lifestyles are particularly well suited for single missionaries.

Time

I’ve been able to dedicate a great deal of my time to ministry. Learning the language, for example, took a considerable amount of focused studying. I’m able to pursue virtually any ministry opportunity that the Lord gives me—scheduling is relatively easy when you don’t have a family to consider.

Travel

International travel is no joke. Take my flight from the Philippines to the States. The whole ordeal takes about 24 hours. I pass through about 5 security checkpoints, spend hours in airport lobbies, etc. I can only imagine what it would be like to bring a grumpy toddler along for the ride. Singleness does make such trips a lot easier.

DISADVANTAGES

There are, of course, disadvantages to being single on the mission field. Two come to mind.


Loneliness

Loneliness is, in my opinion, the greatest challenge faced by single missionaries. There’s a certain level of isolation that is unavoidable when you live away from your home. This is especially true when you first move. Unless you already know the language, you won’t understand any of the conversations going on around you—it is a bizarre feeling. Some find this overwhelming to the point of having to go home.

Most single missionaries (yours truly included) are able to compensate by having plenty of friends in his/her adoptive country. Regardless, it still isn’t the same as having a spouse with you—a companion on your missionary journey.

Sexual Temptation

Prostitution is rampant in every Asian country I’ve ever visited. When I went to China, prostitutes called our hotel room every time we (my friend and I) visited a new town. Thailand, Hong Kong, and the Philippines all have similar practices. American men are “targeted” since we have a reputation for being wealthy.

This is something young single men should be aware of if they are considering going overseas. Married men are not immune, but we single guys are especially vulnerable.

With this challenge in mind, I would give a bachelor the following advice if he were thinking about missions:
1. If you don’t have your act together, don’t go. If you haven’t established a pattern of self-discipline in this area, the mission field will destroy you.
2. Make sure you have a support system that will keep you accountable. I’ve benefitted from wonderful mentors and accountability partners—words can hardly express how important this has been.

So there you have it: some of my thoughts about being a single guy on the mission field.

Related Post at KuyaKevin.com:

A Man with Two Homes