MK's at Prayer Retreat

MK's (missionary kids) are a special group of kids! I have been around lots of kids growing up in minister's homes as well as other missionary kids. However, now I am raising two MK's of my own and they are such a blessing in more ways than one. I love that my children are exposed to different cultures and backgrounds on a daily basis. They know Africa as their home, not the USA. It is not always easy on that one as Steve and I grew up in the USA but God has called our family to be in Africa now.

Going to mission meetings and prayer retreats with our company is special times for not only the adults but for the MK's, too. Many of them do not get to see each other very often so they love getting to play with their missionary "cousins". On the mission field, the other missionaries are our family away from home. Our children have many missionary aunts, uncles and cousins here in Africa, although we all miss our family back in the USA at the same time.

At meetings, the MK's have their own classes led by volunteer groups so they can hear Bible stories, sing songs, play games, do crafts, etc. For Lacie, she looks forward to these meetings with great anticipation as she does not have a weekly Sunday school class to attend at church. Yes, many of our Swazi Baptist churches have Sunday school classes for the kids but it is not the same. For our family, we are in siSwati speaking churches each week with attending a different church on top of the whole process. Lacie does great being out in the rural churches and our family does have nightly devotions with her but it is not the same as her MK classes at mission meetings. Plus, these meetings give her a chance to be with other MK's that are all facing about the same issues and situations of growing up on foreign soil. What a blessing! On top of my children getting to be in classes (yes, even Nathan is class, too!), Steve and I have the opportunity to sit in sessions not worrying about watching our children as well as enjoying worship services in English. The next time you meet a MK or one comes to your mind, pray for them. They are a special group that are with their families on foreign soil experiencing all God has for them to learn as well as growing up to just be kids. We are thankful for our own MK's, Lacie and Nathan! :)

Lacie getting ready to perfom with her MK class the last night of our prayer retreat.

Thank you, Shadow Mountain Community Church, for your time you invested into our children during the prayer retreat.

Our MK's in action...go Lacie!