Friday, August 10, 2007

MK isms!

For those of you who do not know, MK stands for Missionary Kid. Also known as TCK's or Third Culture Kids. It isn't always easy growing up in another culture, a different culture than your parents. You are neither one culture nor the other, but a mixture of the two. This creates your own unique Third Culture.

TCK's enjoy spending time with each other. No matter from what part of the world they come from, they will have something in common with one another. It is even more pronounced among MK's, as they have their faith in common as well.

Last week we had 30 veteran missionaries families together. We had 30 teens and they had a great time. I enjoyed observing them and how they interacted. There were a few cultural mix ups, as is usual when you have so many kids from so many culture. We had families from;

Canada
Japan
Fiji islands
India
Tanzania
France
Ice Land
New Zealand
Spain
Brazil
Venezuela
Mexico
Puerto Rico

But, my two girls both had an MK moment this week as well.





Sunday Morning after church, we were waiting in the lobby to meet up with another missionary couple from St. Thomas. Jewel pointed to the ladies restroom and asked if she could use it. Clint and I stared at her and assured her she could certainly make use of the public restroom. She asked again,
" Are you sure it is ok if I use it?"
"Yes!' we both replied.
She said, "Well, it has a handicap sign!"
We realized she had thought that since you can not park in a handicap spot, perhaps you could not use a restroom that was marked as handicap accessible.

The question is, How did she get to the age of 17 and never know that?

Jayde had such a good time at the mission with all the fun activities they had arranged for the MK's last week, she had decided to leave a thank you poem for all of the directors. I knew nothing of this until the directors all came and said how much they appreciated her poem. One even had taken a photo.


Life can be so tricky,
for a missionary kid,
but you made it so fun,
During Enrichment Week, you did!


We missionary kids are sometimes
longing to be normal.
But no matter who we were,
how we dressed, casual or formal,


You made sure we all fit in,
You helped us give our all to Him,
now let's sit back, bow our heads,
and watch it all begin!


Ok, so its not perfect poetry, but she expresses a common MK feeling, the need to fit in.

9 comments:

Kristi said...

I thought her poem was sweet. And the handicap sign story cracked me up.

~Kristi

Memories for a Lifetime said...

Poetry can be rhyming or freestyle....whatever the author wants!!
SWEET!!
Glad all had an enriching time!!

Gayle said...

I think it's absolutely beautiful poetry! :)

Military kids have the same problem. We raised my first three (we also raised our granddaughter) when my husband was in the Army, and he spent 20 years there. He's a Vietnam Vet and the children were 7, 9 and 10 when he had to go to war. We moved around a lot. Kids adjust pretty well though, when they have parents to back them up and raise them right, and I'm positive your kids have some great parents. :)

Rita Loca said...

gayle, yes, military kids are also considered TCKs according to the book of the same title. As well as international business kids and government diplomat kids.

Liz said...

I think is very sweet the fact that she asked your permission!
And the little one is quite a writer JM...

Liz

Unknown said...

Awesome! That's a Jayde for ya' and the handicap story was cute! Can't wait to see you all!

I need to call you all tomorrow before I leave town. Have important business to discuss!

Pen of Jen said...

I love the pure sweet innocence. And believe me being a home schooled kid,army brat, and a Christian in a Mormon area...are sure signs of feeling like one doesn't fit in...yet the poem said it all!!!

It sounds like the kids had a great time!!

redneck preacher said...

I have been in the ministry for a few years and have 5 PKs and my 12 grandkids are all PKs but TCKs was new to me. Thank you for the lesson.

Are you guys going to be in Northern CA anytime before you leave again? I can give you lots of phone #s for Baptist Preachers.

HTOITA

Brenda said...

I love those MK moments, I could write a book on the things my kids have done, and continue doing! Its great to grow up in different cultures. It help us to not take ourselves so seriously.