Making new friends is not an easy thing to do, especially when you’re in a foreign country and still learning the language and culture.

Shannon and her family had just recently moved to Central Asia, and were quickly learning all the adjustments they would need to make their daily routines. Getting used to living in an apartment, finding the best places to get groceries, and- most importantly- learning what ice cream shops were in walking distance.

While their children were still adjusting to the new local foods, she made more of an effort to cook some of their staple foods they had been used to back home, such as granola, bread, and pizza. One day, getting caught up in the busyness around the house, a batch of granola was left in the oven and forgotten about.

They heard a knock on the door, and Shannon opened it to find several of her neighbors, whom she had seen in passing but never really spoken to.

“There is smoke pouring out your back window!” one of the women told her hurriedly. Since she had only just started learning the local language, it took her a minute to process what her neighbor was saying; then, she remembered her granola in the oven! Thankfully, they were able to catch it in time before any damage was done to the kitchen.

Through this near-disaster, a way was actually provided to meet some of the people living in their building. A few of the ladies came in to help clear out the smoke, and make sure everything was ok. Shannon had the opportunity to introduce herself and her children, and also learned that several of the women had children around the same ages. Now she and a few of the other moms meet regularly for play-dates at a park across the street. Some of them have even made efforts to help her practice the local language. In addition to having friends now to go to for everyday questions, she also has opportunities to invest in these women’s lives.

Global Serve families serving around the world are seeking to make an impact in the spiritual darkness that surrounds so many communities. By embracing the daily life of a new culture, we can begin to build trusting relationships and be able to share about the Truth of the Gospel.

*Names and places changed for security purposes.