MINDING THE GAP

“A Third Culture Kid (TCK) is a person who has spent a significant part of his or her developmental years outside the parents’ culture.”  This definition, coming from a book by David Pollock, an expert in the field, tells the basics only.   While I am not an expert, I do want to understand this crazy mixed-up world in which TCKs live. I also want to understand the world in which their parents live because our passion has become “minding the gap”. 

Recently a friend’s adult child suffered major health issues,  the result of a chronic disease.  The pain my friend feels sit heavily in her eyes.  Another friend’s adult child is going through a divorce.  Evidence of her pain follows my friend, and marks her usual cheerfulness.  Another adult child will imminently leave for duty in Iraq.  The pain there is palpable.  My heart breaks for each one.  Children are gifts from God, given to us to steward.  We long to hold on to them and protect them regardless of their ages.

Thinking of these friends and their children brought me back to this issue of TCKs.

Parents of TCKs must feel tremendous doubt and pain in the raising of their children, too.  Many parents who send children to boarding school minister in areas where schooling is poor or non-existent.  They have demanding positions, preventing the parents from adequately home schooling.  For some of the children, living in a non-English speaking land in their formative years can burden them in confusion.  What is the answer for these parents and their children?   It could be boarding school. 

Smitty and I have been called by God, by Greater Europe Mission, and by Black Forest Academy (BFA) to work with TCKs who board at BFA.   We recognize this calling as an opportunity to be surrogate parents and grandparents at Black Forest Academy.  “Minding the Gap” for missionaries and their children has become our passion.  We anticipate the opportunity to teach, disciple, and support TCKs at BFA until the parents can have them safely in their arms again.

For more info on TCKs and BFA, click on the link to the right of this blog.