SEND magazine Third Quarter 2003: Missionary Kid—An Honest Reflection
Missionary Kid—An Honest Reflection
More often than not, being a child of missionaries isn't something one can choose. When God calls the parents, He calls the children as well. And that's the challenge these children face, whether they realize it or not—to share the vision as a family.
It's not happening in just the traditional missions environment, either. With more than 13,500 GFA native missionaries on the field, thousands of children throughout the Asian subcontinent today experience similar challenges, struggles and joys as their western counterparts.
Prem, the adult son of a Gospel for Asia field leader, serves the Lord with GFA in India. He shares what it was like to grow up as a “missionary kid” (MK). br>
A lot of people think that MKs are so lucky—they get to travel and experience different cultures, food and people. Rarely do they realize that being an MK is not an easy thing. It comes with a lot of advantages and disadvantages, benefits and also difficulties.
The greatest hardship for me was the fact that my dad was gone a lot; and when he was home, he was very busy. My mom tells me stories of when I was really little, how I used to cry and cry when my dad would leave for the mission field to preach the Gospel. Sometimes she had to sit with me half the night, trying to comfort me.
When I was old enough to understand more, my mom would always tell me, “Daddy is telling others about Jesus, and it's our privilege to let him go.”
Now that I am older, I understand more; but as I grew up, it was very painful for me. At first I would try to spend time or talk with my dad whenever I could. Then I started to “not care” anymore. In a way, I avoided him, and even when he would try to talk to me, I wouldn't have much to say. I guess my heart became very hard. There was even a time when I told myself I would never go into mission work because of all this pain inside. God really had to work on me; and He is still working on me to change my heart and help me understand how it all fits into His purpose for my life.
Since the time I was in diapers, my parents would regularly take me with them to visit other missionaries. These trips really impacted me. I got to travel to different mission fields and see firsthand what was happening. It was great. I think these trips helped me to get a burden for the lost—they were definitely one of the joys of being an MK.
My parents have both been great examples and role models for me. One thing I can say is that whatever they taught publicly, they also lived at home. My parents never led double lives.
My mother was a great example. She never complained about my father being away so much. Even when I would get angry or upset about it, she would be calm and try to help me see, through her eyes, that it was a privilege.
One good thing my mother did was to always keep us busy doing something. She never let us just sit and feel sorry for ourselves. She made sure we had plenty to do. My brother and I used to do extra jobs and save the money we earned for missions.
As you can see, there are both joys and sorrows growing up as an MK. It is only because of God's grace and my parents' prayers that I didn't end up in rebellion, bitterness and anger.
Growing up the way I did has helped me to understand the kids of our missionaries and leaders. It has enabled me to have compassion for them. I think only MKs can understand other MKs. Others may think they understand, but in reality, they can't.
How Can I Pray for the Children of GFA Missionaries?
*Pray they would stand strong for the Lord in the face of any persecution they may face for their faith.
Rachel, the daughter of a GFA missionary in Bhutan, is in the seventh grade. Her teacher knows she is a Christian and insulted her one day in front of the entire class. Rachel knew the accusations hurled at her were the result of her belief—and that of her family—in Jesus, and she chose to remain silent.
*Pray for the Lord to provide a good education for each child, especially those whose parents work in remote areas.
Brother Philip is one of GFA's regional leaders in India. He, his wife and their two daughters moved five times in seven years to different states. Because of the language differences between states, this had an impact on the girls' education. The family has now decided to enroll their children in schools that teach in English, and this has helped tremendously.
*Pray for the children to catch their parents' vision and burden to reach the lost. Pray against any root of bitterness that would try to creep into their hearts.
A GFA field correspondent in Sri Lanka traveled to gather information on the ministry of Pastor Dalad: “I woke up early in the morning, about 4:30. I heard a sound and hurried from my room to see what it was. I saw the whole family—the pastor, his wife and their five kids, all together praising and worshipping God. I was so happy to see the kids up so early, praising God at the top of their voices. I also joined them.”
Pray for smooth adjustments to the mission fields where their parents work.
GFA native missionary Surya moved to a remote mountain village of Nepal last year with his family. After getting off the bus at the end of the line, they must walk four more hours before reaching their destination. “When we first arrived here, my son and daughter found it hard to cope with the village lifestyle. Since they had grown up in a town, it was a little difficult for them at first.”
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