I have a confession to make: I don't like being alone. Who does, really?

I grew up in a big family, and I always had people around me. Sure, sometimes I need to withdraw myself and read a book, but basically, for the first twenty years of my life, I've always lived in the same place with all my friends close by.

When I finished high school, the odyssey started: Because of my study program, I moved to a new country every year.

That's where the loneliness started. Sure, I find it easy to meet new people, but the deep, meaningful relationships I had known seemed to be a thing of the past. It's hard to keep up friendships over distance, and it's even harder to committ to new friendships and relationships when you know you'll be gone in a few months.

One thing I did take with me: I grew up in a Christian family and have had a relationship with Jesus from early on. And that's the thing that stayed with me: Wherever I went, no matter the continent or country, the one thing I relied on was my relationship with Jesus.

And what I experienced was that I definetely was alone at some points. That's just the way it is when you move to a new country on your own. But with Jesus by my side, I was never lonely. With him, through prayer I could share everything and anything I experienced. And through him, I even got to know new people!

And it's been that way ever since.