Lonely In "La La Land"

Arriving at Youth With A Mission (YWAM) Kona is like arriving in La La Land. The ocean breeze, the aroma of the flowering trees, the bird's happy songs. Then there is the outdoor worship at Ohana court as the sun sets, the deep spiritual insights in the training, and laughter as people walk up and down the lower slope of the Hualalai Volcano that we call home. 

Slowly though, after processing our "stuff" and giving our whole future to Jesus, we start to wonder, why am I here? Why has my past, present, and future self come to this particular island for this particular season? Maybe you feel disconnected. Maybe your best friend flew out to live another life in another place. It's uncomfortable to show up for meals and not know who to sit with. Maybe you even sit with a group for ministry night or you are a leader of a larger group, maybe the largest, but you feel alone in a room full of people. Unseen. Unknown. You may wonder "should I still be here?" or "I don't feel close to anyone." Negative thoughts can play repeat in our minds day in and day out, no matter how lovely the sunset is. So what do we do? Give up? I think not! 

It has been said, it doesn't matter so much what you do or where you go, but WHO you are with during your journey that makes life sweet. This is a lesson learned usually with much age which I thankfully have. But God is the oldest and taught relationship first–Father, Son, and Holy Spirit as one. "...that they may be one just as We are one", John 17:22 Some of us have found the "who we are with" in a close friend, a love, or a group of like-minded people who are journeying beside us. But, what if... some of us haven't? What if... some of us are Lonely in La La Land?

What I have to say cannot be said any better than by Jennie Allen, the founder of the largest women's movement on earth - 1 million - called "IF:Gathering" in her new book Find Your People,

"Whatever situation has left you feeling detached and adrift, 

I'm about to throw you a life preserver."

Dear Youth With A Mission Kona staff, students, and missionaries here is your simple answer to Loneliness in La La Land. 

Don't wait another second for someone to walk in your door, or text you and invite you into a relationship. Stop waiting, hoping, wondering if you belong.

Instead...

Ask yourself these THREE QUESTIONS:

1. What do I love to do in my free time?

2. What 1 hour a week do I have to do that?

3. Who can I invite to join me?

You see, finding community rarely just "happens"- especially on a large campus like YWAM Kona. Usually, we create it. You, as a missionary, you, as a leader in the body of Christ worldwide, must develop this vital skill that you can carry into every new situation. You can create a loving, welcoming space, a small community for others and for yourself, to know others and be known, 

even if you are a newbie. 

BUT HOW?

Do you like books? Start a weekly Book Club. 

Do you like hiking? Start a weekly Hiking Group.

Do you like to play music? Start an Outreach Band. 

Do you like acting? Start a weekly Outreach Improv Group.

Do you like walking on the beach? Start a weekly Walking Group. 

Do you like baby mamas? Start a weekly Baby Mama group. 

Do you like board games? Start a weekly Boardgame Night.

Do you like Videogames? Start a weekly Gaming Group.

Do you like volleyball? Start a weekly YWAM Volleyball meetup.

Do you like cooking? Start a weekly Cooking Club. 

Do you like Bible study? Start a weekly Bible Study group.

Do you like talking & listening? Start a weekly Homegroup.

Do you like snorkeling? Start a weekly Snorkeling group.

Do you like painting? Start a weekly Painting group. 

Do you get the picture?

Sometimes, we over-spiritualize things and think everything in our lives has to be spiritual, when in fact we are whole beings. We are spiritual, physical, and emotional beings that have relational needs. One of those needs is to have fun doing what we love and doing it together with friends. 

It can be 1 person, or 5 that join you. The smaller the group the better, because then, the deeper you can go with each other. 

You can publicly post to invite people into your group, but I have found in my experience, that you might have more success just inviting someone personally into your weekly gathering. One by one, invite more until the group and the number of people seems right to you. The smaller the better if you want to have a true community where you have time for each other. 

It can be lonely in La La Land, YWAM KONA, but it doesn't have to be. You are a missionary. You are a leader. You create like your father in heaven creates what is missing in the world. What is missing in your world? Start dreaming, creating, inviting, and doing. I have observed that instead of things being from the top down, it can be better achieved from the bottom up. Crowdsourcing. 

Go ahead, you can have a friend who enjoys the things you do by tomorrow if you will just do it. 

With love and care always,

Mombo Galloway

Mombo Galloway in her "Mombo" apron above in 2012 in Capri, Italy (she's Italian-ish) She wanted to join YWAM at 17 but alas was not allowed by her parents. So her whole ministry life from 17-47 she was affiliated with YWAM bringing groups to YWAM camps the 13 years she was a youth pastor in 3 states, going on missions around the world with YWAM, and sending endless numbers of people to do the same. She hosted missions teams at her family's missions base in the NYC area. She ministered in every capacity imaginable from Crisis Pregnancy Center to NY Bible Society to Hip Hop Church founder to City Tribe Church Pioneer to Coffeehouse Ministry to East Coast School of Urban Ministry Dean of Students to Well Digging Missions Organizer to Historic Church Senior Pastor to Mentoring Lead Pastors and more including working with over 20 ministries in her 35 years of full-time ministry. Inspiring Christians to lead well, she is a leader of leaders. Her dream to join YWAM full-time finally came true in 2020 when she arrived at the University of the Nations Kona with a lifetime of experience to train young adults worldwide, and those young at heart, on how to be healthy leaders who multiply themselves in every aspect of ministry. Leading leaders who do effective creative ministry while having a healthy private life to fuel the fire for longevity and maximum impact at home and on the field

 is her La La dream.