Missionary Kids

Most recently I became not only a pastor's kid but also an M.K. My mom quit her job and my dad passed on his church and they moved to Delhi, India to plant a church. Now they are both pastors and missionaries,but primarily they are students of Hindi (the language spoken in that part of the country. Lately I have been talking to many people who grew up on the mission field and I think it would be interesting to hear from them too. Here is a letter from a lady that I work with at the Sugar Land Vineyard who raised her children in South America on the mission field.

Hi Amy,

This is a great website! My kids were Mks (missionary kids), much like pastors kids, with the same “life Under a Microscope” experience. Everyone expects Mks to be perfect, and they often react to this expectation with low self-worth, resentment, or even extreme rebellion. They can see the hypocrisy so clearly in “Christian leaders” and in their parents, who often “jump through hoops” for supporting churches or individuals, and make them do the same. They also intensely bond with other Mks. They are without their own culture around them and sometimes move frequently . They are referred to a 3^rd culture kids, because they create a there own culture with other Mks, not belonging to their home culture or to the new culture they have adjusted to. We, as parents, probably deal with some of the same issues your parents dealt with... being torn between obligation and duty to family, guilt for “neglecting” our children’s needs, etc...Anyway, I think it’s great that you have a forum for others to talk about the kind of issues you grew up with. That will be very helpful for some and interesting to try to understand for others.

Love in Him,

Susie

Comments

[Stephen]

I actually have very fond memories of being a MK. I loved living in Germany, and I had a lot of good friends. What was hard was moving back to America, where I found it very difficult to adjust to the culture. My parents moved to Europe when I was two, and we moved to Missouri when I was ten. I don't really have too much else to say. I never really felt the strain of being a PK until we moved to the US. Of course, that may have something to do with the fact that I entered wonderful adolescence shortly after our return. I may also just have nostalgia about living in an exotic location.

[Dave, the Cubicle Reverend]

Just found your sight. Hope you add more to it. As a future minister in training it'll help give me some insight as to what I'm in for.

[bv[sgoyut8]

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Thank You!

[Amanda]

I think your web page ROCKS!
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[ghdstbdgdnfa]

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what a joke!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Tony Taylor]

I like to think there's a correlation between Pastor's kids and former child actors. Why is that? I've met a lot of Pastor's kids in my day and they always wind up being screwed up in the head. I've always wondered why.

[Tony Taylor]

I like to think there's a correlation between Pastor's kids and former child actors. Why is that? I've met a lot of Pastor's kids in my day and they always wind up being screwed up in the head. I've always wondered why.

[Glenna]

Being a PK is more like DONT CARE. Still have to sign up.

[ckws]

may i ask?
u think it's a grace for being pastor's kid or stressed?

[Rudy]

Quit being pansies. Im a PK and its a great blessing. The lord chose us to be part of the ministry.I always hated it but now ive grown to appreciate it. And once I accepted the calling, I accepted a great part of me. My advice to Pks is= Dont run away from your calling! EMBRACE it! It will change your life as well.

[Connie Pan]

hello~im PK too~~
nice to know about your story
im from taiwan ~:)