"Yes, missionary kids are raised quite differently. But one of the biggest benefits of growing up as an MK is the firsthand knowledge of what it means to give up something for the Lord . . . and to have the joy of serving Him."
from:www.gospelcom.net
"Whether you were raised on the mission field or not--you are a missionary! After all, a missionary is a believer who shares the good news with someone who has never heard it. The Great Commission was given to all believers. We don't get to abdicate our responsibility to witness just because it's not our spiritual gift. This command was given to everybody who claims Christ as Savior and Lord."
from:www.gospelcom.net
TIPS for MKs
Some advice from MKs who have been in your shoes -- whether out-of-style or not -- is:
- Before returning to America, have a friend send you a magazine or clothing catalogue. Some MKs have ordered new clothing from these catalogues so as not to "stick out" when they return.
- When you do come back, ask a friend to help you go shopping.
- Just wear blue jeans and a shirt until you get used to the "new" styles.
Sometimes clothing styles seems of little importance on the mission field. However, you will find that teens in the States place a higher value on clothing styles than you do. This may be hard to understand, but accept it as a new challenge and something to learn from. Then thank God that He doesn't judge us by our outer appearance!
from:www.tckworld.com
Faith Kids-This is an essay paper that I wrote for my English 2 class last year. I wrote this paper about how Korean Mks are different from the American Mks at Faith Academy as I observed. Please remember that this paper was written only from my point of view. (I found some grammatical errors but I'm thinking of leaving it as it is, since that's how it was when I turned the paper in.)
Any Difference Between Missionary and American Kids?
by Allison H. by apricot (8/14/2000)
(Allison writes as a home schooling missionary kid living in Slovakia)
Many people think that normal "American" kids and missionary kids have either everything in common, or nothing in common. They think that a middle ground does not exist. However, in reality, missionary kids and American kids have a lot of similarities and also many differences. As a missionary kid, and as a teen who has seen American teens, I have noticed some things that I would like to share with you.
Missionary kids and American kids have several things in common. You see, both sides go through many of the same emotions, and "growing pains." Often people assume that missionary kids never go through stages of growing. Let me tell you from experience that as a missionary kid, I have gone through many of the same emotions that American kids got though. I hurt when others make fun of me, when I do not fit into a group, and when I am uncomfortable about myself. As missionary kids, we do not have an easy time making new friends, just like American kids, even though we might move often. Kids from both groups do not differ much in many ways, such as the ones that I just mentioned. Perhaps one of the biggest similarities between American and missionary kids has to do with belief in God. It does not matter whether the kid or teen comes from an American-working family or a missionary family. Every kid will eventually have to embrace or reject Christ.
Now as for the differences between American kids and missionary kids, this could quite easily become very long. Although both American and missionary kids go through many of the same emotions and worries, they also go through different ones. For instance, often many of the worries that American teens experience, missionary kids never experience. Often missionary kids worry about things that American kids would never dream of. I doubt that you will find many American kids who have to worry about getting a residency card (green card), or getting their passport stolen. In some instances, missionary kids have to constantly worry about their very life.
American kids tend to have a much narrower view of the world, whereas missionary kids, and many other third-culture-kids, for that matter, have a much larger, broader view of things. Many times, because of this broader view, missionary kids often have the opportunity to bridge the gap between American kids and other cultures. I find this aspect very unique. Another unique difference between American kids and missionary kids has to do with where they consider home as, and where they feel most comfortable. Kids from America often feel uncomfortable and out of place in countries other than their own. Missionary kids usually feel comfortable in any country, culture, or language, with the exception of a few. Sometimes missionary kids feel the least at home in America!
I could go on and on about all of the similarities and differences between an American kid and a missionary kid, but I need to end now. Missionary kids and American kids will never totally seem alike. Differences will always show up. However, although one group may have strong points in one area, the other group may have strong points in another area. These two groups can compliment each, or they can totally alienate themselves from each other. Personally, I think that we as missionaries can learn from American kids, but American kids also can learn a lot from missionary kids. Although differences do exist, so do similarities. We can worktogether.
from:www.apricotpie.com
