Embrace An MK Today!

If you have followed this blog at all you know one thing I am passionate about is MKs (missionary kids) also known as TCKS (third culture kids).  This time of the year our department does a fund raiser on our campus to raise money to put together care pacakges to college age MKs whose parents are still serving the Lord overseas.  The transition from high school to adult life can be challenging.  Well it is especially challenging for our college age MKs as they return to North America and try to start plugging in over here.  Although many people feel like they are returning to home country, it feels anything but home.  (For our three youngest children they were born overseas so North America it isn't even the country of their birth.) It can take many years for MKs to adjust to feel in North America and some never really feel at home here.  For our college MKs they are not only going through transition to life over here but then they will be celebrating Christmas far away from their parents.  I am thankful once again for everyone who gave to the MK Care Package Project.  We were able to put together 13 packages.  Five of our MKs will be expereiencing their first Christmas without their parents.  Please pray for them through this Christmas season.

I did a survey a few years ago and asked MKs if there was aything special that someone did for them to help them through their transition to life in North America.  Only one MK could say yes.  They shared how someone bought them a winter coat. Many people have their own little projects they like to do during Christmas.  But if know an MK, even if they have been back for a number of years, let them know you are thinking of them.  Take them out for coffee and let them tell you their story.    (Besides MKs growing up in another country and culture many of them have lived through some very stressful and dangerous situations and they have never had any kind of debrief with anyone.) Give them a gift card,  a winter coat, or even a HUG and let them know you are thinking of them and cheering them on.