Koh Soo Choon has travelled and served in different parts of the world. This is an extract from an interview by Kairos magazine.
Being a cross cultural worker and single, do you struggle with loneliness? How do you cope?
Loneliness is part of life whether one is single or otherwise; in the jungle or in the city. I try to convert loneliness into aloneness and solitude. Spiritual disciplines like meditation and quiet are indispensable.
I recognise loneliness as something that is natural so there is an expectation which aids in acceptance. I have a passion for life so there are so many things that interest and fascinate me.
I ask God for a prayer partner and folks to do fun things with wherever I am. Today I am still in contact with these valuable friends of mine. In some countries I can keep a journal. Often I reread when I experience times of low.
I also have a “joy box.” In it are little things that have encouraged and inspired me. I go to the box when I need to be reminded. A spiritual mentor – she has been my faithful support all these years. Having email nowadays is very helpful.
I also have a band of prayer friends whom I can send a quick SOS.
My first test was when I lived in the jungle of Papua New Guinea on my first venture out of Malaysia. We were allowed to go to the town three times a year for a week. There was no electricity or email. The plane came in once a week and that was the highlight. However, bad weather often interrupted the schedule, sometimes for weeks. Not having letters was difficult.
The refugee camp was made up of 200 fighting men, only five women. How could one find a soulmate? There were only two of us foreigners working there and the camp commander was a “woman, wine and song” man.
It was during this period of my life that I became very sensitive to the voice of God as I had no one else to share my heart. This was the start of the invaluable lesson of the spiritual discipline of practising the presence of God.
I was given a puppy and he grew up to be my physical listening ear, did fun things with me and was with me all the time.
As an insider looking on from the outside so to speak, what would you say are issues the church and Christians living here have to grapple with?
- To beware that we will not remain in our comfortable holy cuddles.
- To be aware of what is happening around us, how policies are made and implemented.
- Question ourselves why we have been born in Malaysia and what is God expecting us to be involved in.
- To look at the big picture, what are the trends and possible projections for the years ahead.
- We have to remind ourselves to major on the majors and not minors.
- Constantly remind ourselves that we are not of this world and so should adopt kingdom values in every area of our lives, be it careers, children, their future, etc. How easy it is for us not to be any different from the folks around us.
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