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WHO ARE Missionaries’ Kids?
They are children whose parents happen to
be missionaries. They are teenagers with a greater awareness of the world beyond
North America. In some instances, they have lived through more hardship than their
American counterparts. But they are not in any way "born into" a solid faith, nor
are they "born into" a desire to reside overseas, on a limited budget, with constant
pressure to live up to the expectations of churches in their home country and abroad.
Though many of them embrace their parents' faith and calling, some do not. Those
are the MKs who inspired Ben's story.
What are their main strengths?
- They are often multi-lingual and multi-cultural
- They have a greater world awareness
- They have a deeper understanding and acceptance of the differences in others
- They are adaptable in new situations
- They have an attraction to other cultures and a desire to interact with them
- They are loyal, faithful friends
- They are often capable of discussing profound topics knowledgeably
What are their struggles?
- They often have no Christian peers
- Their friendships are often short lived because of the transient missionary lifestyle
- They often feel alienated or "different" both at home and abroad
- They often feel out of touch with the North American culture
- They often suffer from prejudice in their host countries
- They sometimes feel bitter toward their parents for "forcing" them into missions
- They often blame God for the challenges and struggles of life
- If they've been to boarding school against their wishes, they often blame their
parents for abandoning them
What can you do?
- Don't expect them to be saints, but accept them as they are
- Ask them about their lives abroad with genuine interest
- If they're new to North America, introduce them to the lifestyle and culture
- Allow them to follow their own spiritual and emotional journey
- Pray discreetly for them - they don't need to feel like they're your
"project"
- Be patient - it may take a while for them to show their real emotions
- Be determined - pursue them gently
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