Last November, myself and a team of nine other Australians traveled to one of the world’s poorest countries, Ethiopia. Two weeks I spent in this far- away land, witnessing the first-hand work of "Compassion", an internationally renowned charity passionate about, "Releasing children from poverty in Jesus' Name."
During my stay, I shook the hands of hundreds of children whose lives were being radically changed thanks to generous sponsors and supportive volunteers fighting together globally to
free children like the ones I met and millions more from the cycle of poverty.
Every part of me was impacted by the little hands I held, the countless kisses I received and the tender arms which embraced me better than most friends and family in my own homeland. But, the precious Ethiopian children weren’t the only ones who gave me a new perspective on life. One extraordinary woman on this trip radicalised my life also, her story the very heart behind this month’s article. (Her name will go unmentioned for privacy reasons.)
Ordained by God, this woman signed up to the same country I also chose in 2016 to travel too. Within days of first our meeting we found ourselves becoming fast friends. She eventually revealed her whole life story to me. At 47, I discovered she had not once been married, never been in a serious relationship and could count the total number of dates she’d ever been on with all 10 fingers. I sat star-struck. I’d never met anyone like her before- A woman so secure in herself that she refused to settle just to escape the worlds condemnation of ‘singleness’. A part of me couldn’t understand why or how she was still in fact single. She seemed (and is) amazing! And she ticked every box one would desire in a spouse. Healthy. Educated. Intelligent. Well-travelled. Independent. Kind. Humble. Funny. Down to earth. A heart for Jesus Christ and children in poverty.
met anyone like her before - a woman so secure in herself that she refused to settle just to escape the world's condemnation of "singleness." A part of me couldn’t understand why or how she was still in fact single. She seemed (and is) amazing! And she ticked every box one would desire in a spouse. Healthy. Educated. Intelligent. Well-travelled. Independent. Kind. Humble. Funny. Down-to-earth. A heart for Jesus Christ and children in poverty.
I eventually asked her, ‘Do you still struggle with being single at nearly 50? Is it hard accepting the fact that you will probably never have kids and may not ever meet Mr Right?’
Is it hard accepting the fact that you will probably never have kids and may not ever meet Mr Right?’
"Of course I do," she answered candidly, but with a small smile. "Everyone has days when they feel alone and undesired. Yet this life is not ours to own, but God’s alone. And what I’ve learned most is He gives us what we need, not what we want (in life).’"