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The Missionary Family

By Russell E. Ebersole, Jr.

One day we heard a missionary mother lamenting that her children were missing out on opportunities they would have had in North America. On the contrary, we believe our eight MKs were far more privileged than their counterparts in their home country.

MKs witness God at work in changing lives in other cultures, sometimes in dramatic ways. At an early age and in many ways, MKs can be involved in their parents’ ministries. Our blonde blue-eyed youngsters were great “ice-breakers” in making initial contacts.

Many MKs become bilingual. This helps them gain an appreciation of new cultural patterns. They have unique opportunities to learn respect for the elderly and genuine hospitality.

MKs have the opportunity to travel the globe, especially those in Asia. This helps them become world citizens who are far less parochial and ethnocentric in their thinking. They understand that God’s family is much broader than that of their own particular background. Their national brothers and sisters become precious, lifelong friends.

International exposure and multi-language capabilities are important in today's marketplace.  Some MKs have found key niches with multi-national firms and are effective witnesses as “tentmakers.”

A good testimonial regarding the privileges and challenges of being an MK is the number of MKs who return to mission fields where they have fruitful ministries.

If you asked any of our eight MKs (three of whom now serve overseas with ABWE) how they feel about having been MKs, they would reply without hesitation, “It was great! We thank the Lord for giving us the privilege of being an MK!”

And, when you think about it, they are in very good company—Jesus, God’s Son, was an MK!