Living in another country

[Sete]

 

I was talking to a friend of mine about some brothers from our circuit who went to live in another country, and we spent a lot of time talking about everything, from which country it might be a good idea to move to, whether it would actually be a good idea to move, and whether or not it would be a good idea to go there if you are already married, because depending on where you're going, the cultural differences can be many (both good and bad), so it would be better to go there already married. 

 

I don't plan on moving right now, but who know in some years? I hear that some good countries need qualified workers for hands-on works and gets properly paid(sometimes its just because the grass always seems greener on the other side.

 

Do any of you know of similar cases? Where I live, it's rare to see someone immigrating here, so I don't know much, but for those of you who live in areas where new immigrant brothers frequently appear, what is the context and what challenges do you notice?

 

 

[jwzhang]

Hey br. Pedro,

I've lived in 3 countries and I'm serving in a foreign land right now!
In Bangkok, Thailand, there are many that are from other countries. It's a beautiful place and we love the warmer weather, and enjoy the cheaper and convenient way of living here.

There are also many challenges the friends face - the biggest being visa issues. Also being away from family, getting homesick, etc.

The great things of living in other countries are the joys being with brothers and sisters from different backgrounds. There is also a need here(and in other different places), many have not been witnessed to yet. For context, there are about 11 million in population at Bangkok, and 66 million in Thailand, but there are only under 6000 JWs

We really enjoy serving here and look forward to visiting other lands around Thailand as well

[carlos]

I serve in a congregation made up mostly of immigrants. They come hoping for a better life but reality is very different from what they were told. Most come with nothing and have to accept the first job offer they receive, which usually is without a contract or any rights, with unending work hours and very poorly paid. For many Christians this has meant not attending meetings or going in service for months, precisely when they are far from their family and congregation. Some had to sleep on the street until they found a job. Things get much worse if they don't speak the language. Even if they attend meetings or go in service, it's hard to get encouragement or do participate in a meaningful way.

 

A common trap is when you hear how much people are paid in other countries. Maybe someone who works in cleaning or in construction makes an amount that is a lot where you live. But then they don't tell you the cost of living is proportional to wages. What use is being paid 1500 euro a month if renting a place to live costs 1200? Not to mention the price of food and utilities. Many immigrant friends cannot afford renting an apartment, so they rent rooms in shared apartments (often with non-Witnesses with all kinds of disgusting practices). 

 

With time they usually find some stability and their life conditions improve but especially that starting period is very difficult and very dangerous for one's spirituality. Of course, things are easier if you already have family and friends in the country who are willing to help you.