THE MK EXPERIENCE

UNDERSTANDING YOUR MISSIONARIES’

CHILDREN

WHY CARE FOR MKS?

Their Presence

Their Parents

Their Potential

WHY CARE FOR MKS?

Their Presence

Their Parents

Their Potential– Language Skills

WHY CARE FOR MKS?

Their Presence

Their Parents

Their Potential– Language Skills– Cross-cultural Skills

WHY CARE FOR MKS?

Their Presence

Their Parents

Their Potential– Language Skills– Cross-cultural Skills– World View

WHY CARE FOR MKS?

Their Presence

Their Parents

Their Potential– Language Skills– Cross-cultural Skills– World View– Maturity

WHY CARE FOR MKS?

Their Presence

Their Parents

Their Potential– Language Skills– Cross-cultural Skills– World View– Maturity– God View

CHALLENGES MKS FACE

Rootlessness - “There’s no place like home”

CHALLENGES MKS FACE

Rootlessness - “There’s no place like home”

Off-balance culturally

Foreigner

Looks DifferentThinks

different

Hidden Immigrant

Looks alikeThinks different

Adopted

Looks different

Thinks alike

Mirror

Looks alikeThinks alike

CULTURE IS LIKE AN ICEBERG

How much do you see?

There’s a lot more to it

than you may realize!

How much is unseen?

•Language•Behavior•Externals (food, clothing, hairstyles, entertainment, etc.)__________________________

BeliefsWhat is true/right?

ValuesWhat is important?

AssumptionsWhat is obvious to everybody?

CHALLENGES MKS FACE

Rootlessness “There’s no place like home”

Off-balance Culturally

CHALLENGES MKS FACE

Rootlessness “There’s no place like home”

Off-balance Culturally Lots of Unknowns

CHALLENGES MKS FACE

Rootlessness “There’s no place like home”

Off-balance Culturally Lots of Unknowns Special knowledge without use

CHALLENGES MKS FACE

Rootlessness “There’s no place like home”

Off-balance Culturally

Out-of-Sync Developmentally

CHALLENGES MKS FACE

Rootlessness “There’s no place like home”

Off-balance Culturally

Out-of-Sync Developmentally Vocationally

CHALLENGES MKS FACE

Rootlessness “There’s no place like home”

Off-balance Culturally

Out-of-Sync Developmentally Vocationally Socially

CHALLENGES MKS FACE

Rootlessness “There’s no place like home”

Off-balance Culturally

Out-of-Sync Developmentally Vocationally Socially Identity

CHALLENGES MKS FACE

Rootlessness “There’s no place like home”

Off-balance Culturally

Out-of-Sync Developmentally

Unresolved Grief

CHALLENGES MKS FACE

Rootlessness “There’s no place like home”

Off-balance Culturally

Out-of-Sync Developmentally

Unresolved Grief

Insecurity in Relationships

CHALLENGES MKS FACE

Rootlessness “There’s no place like home”

Off-balance Culturally

Out-of-Sync Developmentally

Unresolved Grief

Insecurity in Relationships

Synthesizing Identities

CHALLENGES MKS FACE

Rootlessness “There’s no place like home”

Off-balance Culturally

Out-of-Sync Developmentally

Unresolved Grief

Insecurity in Relationships

Synthesizing Identities

Healing from trauma

WHAT YOU CAN DO

WHAT YOU CAN DOOFFER EMOTIONAL SUPPORTIf possible, cultivate the relationship when they are young so you are in a position to help when they are older. PRAY FOR THEM!!Learn about the transition process so you’ll know what is normal (if unsettling). And be patient and gentle when they’re in transition – they’ll stop acting so “crazy” and negative in a year or two.

STAGES OF TRANSITION

Honeymoon stage (typically lasts 1 week-1 month)– Everything is great! Reverse Culture Shock (lasts a few months to 1-2 years)– Avoidance (Avoiding everything)– Anger (“Everything is different and bad/wrong”)– Mockery (“Everything is different and stupid”)Readjustment– Tolerance (“Things are different but OK”)– Understanding (“Things are different but reasonable”)– Creativity (Things are different but open to interaction”)

WHAT YOU CAN DOOFFER EMOTIONAL SUPPORTIf possible, cultivate the relationship when they are young so you are in a position to help when they are older. PRAY FOR THEM!! – Learn about the transition process so you’ll know what is normal (if unsettling). And be patient and gentle when they’re in transition – they’ll stop acting so “crazy” and negative in a year or two.LISTEN!!!!! Don’t take it personally when they criticize the U.S. and constantly compare it unfavorably with overseas. Don’t assume you understand – and never say you do unless you are an MK (or TCK) yourself. Be careful about minimizing their experiences or pain. Be alert for signs (verbal or non-verbal) of serious trouble (severe depression, suicidal thoughts, risky behavior, etc.).

WHAT YOU CAN DOOFFER PRACTICAL HELPBe a cultural mentor and/or help them find a peer mentor.Offer them a “home away from home.” Invite them to be part of your family activities…then invite them again! Send notes/cards, emails, care packages, etc. to remind them you are thinking of them and praying for them.Offer practical assistance with new things:•Getting a Driver’s License •Banking and finances

•Completing income tax or financial aid forms

•Applying for jobs

•Getting to the doctor or dentist (and understanding their health insurance)

•Storing their stuff during summer vacation

•Getting around (transporation) •Finding summer accommodations