Do you miss traveling as I do? If so, pack your bags and passport for this week’s #SingleGoals2020 feature interview with Raynesha K.! She’s currently living her early thirties in Shenyang, Liaoning China and shared her experiences so far with us and more:
BLISS: We want to know your story! Share how you are making the most out of your singleness:
Raynesha K.: “I am currently living abroad in China. I decided to use my season of singleness to be more adventurous and travel the world. This is the only time when I can be selfish, put God and myself first, and enjoy life.”
“Before moving to China, I took my first solo trip to Bali in 2018. It was terrifying, initially. I come from a very big and close-knit family that does everything together, so this was stepping way out of my comfort zone. I knew I wanted to travel, and if I continued to try and wait for people or depend on people, it would never happen. The only advice I can think of is: don’t let fear stop you from doing something that can ultimately bring you joy. If I wouldn’t have stepped out on faith and went to Bali, there’s no way I would be here in China.”
BLISS: What inspired you to live abroad in China? How long have you been there and how long do you plan on living there?
RK: “Back in the states, I was a teacher. I always had this dream of wanting to travel the world and teach, but never knew how it was supposed to happen. I saw the opportunity on Instagram, did some research, and that lead me to China.”
“China definitely wasn’t my first choice, but I watched so many videos of Black men and women living here and enjoying it that I decided to give a shot. Next month will mark one year that I’ve been living abroad. I just resigned my contact to do another year. It wasn’t the plan, but because of everything happening in the US, I figured it was better for me to stay where I’m at.”
BLISS: What are you learning about yourself in your single season?
RK: “In my single seasons (it’s been a while lol) I’ve learned a lot about myself, my good qualities, and qualities that I need to work on. I’m learning to differentiate between God-sent and convenience, and that’s with the help of different online platforms and devotionals.”
“I’m still learning to accept that my singleness is not a punishment.”
BLISS: What is one piece of advice that you would like to share with other singles?
RK: “Continue to trust God’s timing.”
BLISS: What are you currently doing in ministry or for the Kingdom of God?
RK: “I attend a small Bible study with coworkers and other foreigners and we find plans in bible apps to help us be accountable.”
BLISS: Anything else that you’d like to share with us?
“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29:11
