a family affair THE AMAZING LIVES OF MISSIONARY KIDS By Deborah St. Lawrence   Photo: Ana poses with a friend.

WE SEE THEM ON PRAYER CARDS—fresh-scrubbed, sparkling examples of missionary life. We watch them on display in church services where mom and dad are speaking—often uninhibited, undisciplined, sometimes even incorrigible. Others seem shy, withdrawn, and introverted, overwhelmed by a new, intimidating, and confusing culture. It is a shame we don’t see them on the field inviting friends to church, defending their faith, leading worship—mini-missionaries for God.

Unlike adults who make a conscious decision to follow God’s leading into overseas ministry, missionary kids often find themselves tagging along with mom and dad. However, they learn quickly that missionary life is a family business. Everyone has a role to play, responsibilities to carry out—each with an integral part in the Great Commission. Many MKs consider themselves full-fledged missionaries. As ?-year-old Carson Outlaw reminded his parents, “God called us all to Central Asia.”

Darren, Dana, McKenna, and McGwire Portell returned from two and a half years in France on May 31, 2006. During the last year, the family has traveled around the country on stateside assignment. McKenna and McGwire’s view of missionary life has been greatly altered by their time in the U.S.

Eight-year-old McKenna says, “There are many things I like, and dislike, about being a young missionary. At language school I made friends with people who live all over the world; and I made friends with people all over the United States during our stateside assignment. I like having friends in many countries, but I don’t like that I don’t see or talk to them very often. When we leave for France this summer, it will be sad for me to say goodbye to my friends in North Carolina, Tennessee, and Illinois. And saying goodbye to our family who lives in the U.S. will be very sad, too. It will be just as sad as it was when we said goodbye to our friends in France to come to the States for a year.”

McKenna enjoys being bilingual, and is learning Latin so the other Romance languages will be easier to learn. She enjoys learning about various cultures and often visits historical sites and children’s museums as they travel.

“Being a missionary,” she says, “we sometimes miss out on normal stuff like playing on a softball team, but we also get to do really cool stuff like travel around the world, tasting different foods, and learning about the way other people live.

“If I could have everything exactly how I wanted it, I would move all the people that I love to France with me. I really like living there, but sometimes I miss my grandparents, my cousins, and my friends that live in the States. But I am excited that we are going back to France this summer. I can almost taste the French bread when I think about it.”

Five-year-old McGwire shares similar thoughts. “I like being a young missionary because we get to travel. I like riding in airplanes, watching movies in the car, and staying in hotels. Sometimes, we get to have fun on our trips like riding horses and going to the zoo. I like when we get home really late, and I fall asleep without brushing my teeth. I like getting treats out of our snack box on long car trips, too.”

Travel isn’t all fun though. “I don’t like going to a new church every Sunday with new teachers and new kids.”  The outspoken McGwire continues, “I really don’t like it when churches don’t have children’s church and I have to listen to my dad for the millionth time.”

Photo: Allejandro enjoys a "cowboy party" in Alpedrete.

MKs play a unique (and vital) role in their host culture as well. Often they open doors to friendships and provide opportunities for their parents to interact with the parents of young friends. Missionary kids to Spain, Alejandro and Ana Johnson, are prime examples.

Alejandro could not have been happier when his best friend walked into the Alpedrete Outreach Center for a Cowboy Party last summer. Dressed in cowboy hats and bandanas, they enjoyed games, crafts, and snacks. But Alejandro was especially pleased to know that someone he’d become friends with at school had now seen the place his family had helped to establish a church plant. His friend’s parents were also exposed to the activities at the Center. The themed children’s parties are offered specifically to make parents aware of additional activities.

Alejandro sometimes invites his school friends to church. He tells them that it is muy importante (very important) to go to church on Sundays. Even though some of them laugh, he hasn’t stopped wanting all of his friends to “have Jesus in their hearts.”

Two years ago, while playing in the park, the Johnsons met the family of one of Ana’s friends. The moms began to talk and decided to sign their girls up for a gym class together. Ana and Irene have been getting together twice a week to tumble, play, and exercise. Kristi and Irene’s mother spend class time together. Some interesting conversations have taken place in the gym bleachers. Not only have they discussed the day-to-day events of their lives, but they’ve talked about church and faith, too. The conversations might never have occurred without Ana and her friend meeting in the park.

Regardless of their age, MKs play a vital role in missionary ministry. After all, it’s a family affair.

Deborah St. Lawrence is the editor for Free Will Baptist International Missions. To learn more about MKs and the international ministry of Free Will Baptists, visit www.fwbgo.com.

Ministering to Missionary kids

Would you like to support missionary kids as they help their parents share Christ’s love around the world? Consider the following suggestions:

• Be a prayer partner. Commit to pray for an MK regularly.
  

• Care Packages. Write to a missionary kid on a regular basis, and always add age-appropriate gifts like stickers, Kool-Aid packets, key chains, pictures, jokes, word puzzles, stencils, note pad, balloon, craft supplies, bookmarks, unique shoelaces, iron-on patches, or an update about their favorite sports team.

• Make an MK an honorary member of a Sunday School class. Encourage class members to email the MK. Occasionally use a classtime to write letters to the child and his or her family. Remember your MK on holidays and birthdays.

• Ask MKs to help. Give MKs the opportunity to educate your children or church kids about the field where they live.

• Provide housing. Some MKs, especially high school and college students, return home for periods of time. Consider opening your home for them.

• Subscribe to a Magazine. Surprise an MK with a subscription to his or her favorite U.S. magazine.

• Introduce them. When missionary kids visit your church, go out of your way to make them feel welcome. Introduce them to other kids their age. Arrange for them to stay with families with kids to whom they can relate.

• Keep your Missionary Cards current. MKs hate to be reminded of what they looked like five years ago!

• Don’t Say…

  Isn’t it great to be home? (Truthfully, they might not think so.)

  You’re so big. I remember when you were “this” tall. (Of course they’ve grown! It’s been four years.)

  Remember me? (Don’t put them on the spot! MKs meet thousands of people in their travels.)

  When are you going back? (Does that sound like a friendly question to you?)

  What’s it like in Panama? (Ask specific questions, not careless general ones.)

  Say something in Russian. (They are not sideshow performers.)

  I met someone from Tokyo Do you know him? (Tokyo is heavily populated. Chances are about one in 30 million that they have run into your buddy.)