1. T HE MK E XPERIENCE U NDERSTANDING Y OUR M ISSIONARIES ’ C HILDREN

3. W HY C ARE FOR MK S ? Their Presence Their Parents Their Potential

4. W HY C ARE FOR MK S ? Their Presence Their Parents Their Potential –Language Skills

5. W HY C ARE FOR MK S ? Their Presence Their Parents Their Potential –Language Skills –Cross-cultural Skills

6. W HY C ARE FOR MK S ? Their Presence Their Parents Their Potential –Language Skills –Cross-cultural Skills –World View

7. W HY C ARE FOR MK S ? Their Presence Their Parents Their Potential –Language Skills –Cross-cultural Skills –World View –Maturity

8. W HY C ARE FOR MK S ? Their Presence Their Parents Their Potential –Language Skills –Cross-cultural Skills –World View –Maturity –God View

9. C HALLENGES MK S F ACE Rootlessness - “There’s no place like home”

10. C HALLENGES MK S F ACE Rootlessness - “There’s no place like home” Off-balance culturally

11. Foreigner Looks Different Thinks different Hidden Immigrant Looks alike Thinks different Adopted Looks different Thinks alike Mirror Looks alike Thinks alike

12. C ULTURE IS LIKE AN ICEBERG How much do you see?

13. There’s a lot more to it than you may realize! How much is unseen?

14. Language Behavior Externals (food, clothing, hairstyles, entertainment, etc.) __________________________ Beliefs What is true/right? Values What is important? Assumptions What is obvious to everybody?

16. C HALLENGES MK S F ACE Rootlessness “There’s no place like home” Off-balance Culturally

17. C HALLENGES MK S F ACE Rootlessness “There’s no place like home” Off-balance Culturally  Lots of Unknowns

18. C HALLENGES MK S F ACE Rootlessness “There’s no place like home” Off-balance Culturally  Lots of Unknowns  Special knowledge without use

19. C HALLENGES MK S F ACE Rootlessness “There’s no place like home” Off-balance Culturally Out-of-Sync Developmentally

20. C HALLENGES MK S F ACE Rootlessness “There’s no place like home” Off-balance Culturally Out-of-Sync Developmentally  Vocationally

21. C HALLENGES MK S F ACE Rootlessness “There’s no place like home” Off-balance Culturally Out-of-Sync Developmentally  Vocationally  Socially

22. C HALLENGES MK S F ACE Rootlessness “There’s no place like home” Off-balance Culturally Out-of-Sync Developmentally  Vocationally  Socially  Identity

23. C HALLENGES MK S F ACE Rootlessness “There’s no place like home” Off-balance Culturally Out-of-Sync Developmentally Unresolved Grief

24. C HALLENGES MK S F ACE Rootlessness “There’s no place like home” Off-balance Culturally Out-of-Sync Developmentally Unresolved Grief Insecurity in Relationships

25. C HALLENGES MK S F ACE Rootlessness “There’s no place like home” Off-balance Culturally Out-of-Sync Developmentally Unresolved Grief Insecurity in Relationships Synthesizing Identities

26. C HALLENGES MK S F ACE Rootlessness “There’s no place like home” Off-balance Culturally Out-of-Sync Developmentally Unresolved Grief Insecurity in Relationships Synthesizing Identities Healing from trauma

27. W HAT Y OU C AN D O

29. OFFER EMOTIONAL SUPPORT If possible, cultivate the relationship when they are young so you are in a position to help when they are older. PRAY FOR THEM!! Learn about the transition process so you’ll know what is normal (if unsettling). And be patient and gentle when they’re in transition – they’ll stop acting so “crazy” and negative in a year or two.

30. S TAGES OF T RANSITION Honeymoon stage (typically lasts 1 week-1 month) –Everything is great! Reverse Culture Shock (lasts a few months to 1-2 years) –Avoidance (Avoiding everything) –Anger (“Everything is different and bad/wrong”) –Mockery (“Everything is different and stupid”) Readjustment –Tolerance (“Things are different but OK”) –Understanding (“Things are different but reasonable”) –Creativity (Things are different but open to interaction”)

31. W HAT Y OU C AN D O OFFER EMOTIONAL SUPPORT If possible, cultivate the relationship when they are young so you are in a position to help when they are older. PRAY FOR THEM!! Learn about the transition process so you’ll know what is normal (if unsettling). And be patient and gentle when they’re in transition – they’ll stop acting so “crazy” and negative in a year or two. L ISTEN !!!!!  Don’t take it personally when they criticize the U.S. and constantly compare it unfavorably with overseas.  Don’t assume you understand – and never say you do unless you are an MK (or TCK) yourself. Be careful about minimizing their experiences or pain. Be alert for signs (verbal or non-verbal) of serious trouble (severe depression, suicidal thoughts, risky behavior, etc.).

32. W HAT Y OU C AN D O O FFER P RACTICAL H ELP Be a cultural mentor and/or help them find a peer mentor. Offer them a “home away from home.” Invite them to be part of your family activities…then invite them again! Send notes/cards, emails, care packages, etc. to remind them you are thinking of them and praying for them. Offer practical assistance with new things: Getting a Driver’s License Banking and finances Completing income tax or financial aid forms Applying for jobs Getting to the doctor or dentist (and understanding their health insurance) Storing their stuff during summer vacation Getting around (transporation) Finding summer accommodations