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ByJon Mark Davis on Wednesday, November 30, 2022

The Busyness of an MK (Missionary Kid)

Jon Mark Davis By Jon Mark Davis on Wednesday, November 30, 2022

 

I love airports.

The hustle and bustle. People of every nationality streaming past me. The endless possibilities of flights to every corner of the world.

As an adult now, I can admit that in trying to get my family from one country to another, an airport can be a stressful place; endless lines, tight timelines, lost luggage, too much opportunity for things to go wrong.

But, as a Third-Culture Kid (TCK), and specifically a Missionary Kid (MK), the airport glitters like a yellow-brick road into the unknown, and it excites me, especially that hustle and bustle, that busyness of international travel.

A Busy Life

Airports are synonymous with the word “busy”. This word, busy, seems also to be the first word used by people to describe life where I now live, Southwestern Ontario. If you have a casual conversation with just about anyone older than 20, they describe life as busy. How is your family? How are things at work? How are things with your church? How was your summer, fall...year? The answer is almost always, “Busy!”.

Maybe that word is overused and misused, but let’s put it into the context of the life of a former MK. My life really is busy (forgive me if this sounds like bragging, but really, it is a cry for help!): I run a business and manage a family with four children who are into team sports, volunteering, youth groups, social gatherings, and family events. I serve at my church as an elder, small group leader, greeter, and mentor. I run outreach ministries for men including retreats, Bible studies, and even a pick-up hockey league (yup, I’m the guy on the ice who still can’t figure out how to stop…I blame it on growing up in a part of the world where ice didn’t exist except to get you sick in a beverage).

Life is busy ... but why? I can’t speak about your particular situation, but I can tell you about my situation: there are just so many things to do.

Good things.

Important things. 

MKs and Busyness

What does this have to do with my MK upbringing? As I was brainstorming my article idea with Paul Dyck, he touched on something significant, “It is definitely an MK trait ... wanting to give of our time, abilities, and resources to what we see, seeing the need for help that we have the ability to help with, and being overwhelmed with the volume of service opportunities.”

There are so many needs around me, and so many ‘good’ things to be involved in.

If not me, then who?

If I don’t help with these good things, who is going to?

MKs develop a lot of great skills and abilities such as leadership, adaptability, perseverance, and resilience. If there is a need, we have probably watched our parents or others step into filling that need, and we have learned many of the skills and abilities to do so as well. And, these opportunities can be enticing. Like an airport offers the opportunity to travel on an adventure to somewhere exotic, these opportunities offer the chance to experience something new and allow us to feel good about helping others. They can be enticing yellow-brick roads. 

It isn’t easy to find your place in the world as a TCK. You don’t always feel like your passport country is your home. Yet, that is where God has planted you, for now. You have skills and abilities that many around you don’t seem to have, and you often have an adventurous heart, ready to jump into new challenges and new experiences.

How do you figure out what God is specifically calling you to do when there are so many ‘good’ things that need someone to do them?

Is this busy life healthy?

Is this what God expects or demands of us?

We have skills and abilities, shouldn’t we put them to ‘good’ use? We all know the dangers of being too busy: emotional and mental burn-out; physical exhaustion; and strained relationships, especially with our spouses and kids.

“Good” Things vs. “God” Things

So, what is the coaching for an MK who sees needs that demand to be filled? I have begun, slowly, to unpack this and to start to understand the difference between ‘good’ things and ‘God’ things; those opportunities that would be good to do, versus those opportunities that God has specifically appointed and invited me into doing.

What’s the solution for busyness?

I don’t think there is a formula, but God certainly promises us wisdom. The first ingredient is to seek time with Him in prayer, and in His Word.

“Your hands made me and formed me; give me understanding to learn your commands (Psalm 119:73)

I have found for many Christians, they need to learn to say “yes” to more opportunities to serve others, but perhaps for MKs, it needs to be “no” until they have a very clear invitation from God.

  • We need to recognize that God doesn’t need us, but He does invite us into His plans.
  • We need to be aware that sometimes we might be getting in the way of someone else being invited in to serve.
  • We need to trust that God has got it, and He loves and cares for others far more than we ever could.

This might be another whole topic, but we also need to learn more about the contentment that God promises; being content in who we are in Christ, not what we do, as we step towards His will to do, and to not do.


Jon Mark Davis lives in the London Ontario area, is married with 4 children, and spent much of his formative years in Singapore as a son of OMF missionaries. He is a brother through marriage to Mike Fietje (Interim National Director of MORE Network). Jon Mark is a Financial Planner with Primerica Financial Services.



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Did you miss our past blogs? Check them out below!

 

Wilderness ReBoot: Solitude, Community & Mission

Ben shares about how his love for the wilderness first started, and gives insight into what adult MKs (Missionary Kids) can expect at Wilderness ReBoot. 

Read more...

The Busyness of an MK (Missionary Kid)

I love airports.

The hustle and bustle. People of every nationality streaming past me. The endless possibilities of flights to every corner of the world.

As an adult now, I can admit that in trying to get my family from one country to another, an airport can be a stressful place; endless lines, tight timelines, lost luggage, too much opportunity for things to go wrong.

But, as a Third-Culture Kid (TCK), and specifically a Missionary Kid (MK), the airport glitters like a yellow-brick road into the unknown, and it excites me, especially that hustle and bustle, that busyness of international travel.

Airports are synonymous with the word “busy”. This word, busy, seems also to be the first word used by people to describe life where I now live, Southwestern Ontario. If you have a casual conversation with just about anyone older than 20, they describe life as busy. Life is busy ... but why? I can’t speak about your particular situation, but I can tell you about my situation: there are just so many things to do. Good things. Important things. 

How do you figure out what God is specifically calling you to do when there are so many ‘good’ things that need someone to do them?

Read more...

Adult Third Culture Kid Research

One of the main reasons I decided to pursue doctoral studies was to conduct research. Not just any research, but "Adult Third Culture Kid" (ATCK) research. For many years, I worked with children, teens, and adults from various mission agencies, preparing them for international ministry and helping them transition back to Canada.

As I listened to their stories of joy and heartbreak, accomplishments and struggles, I realized that there is so much more that we, as caregivers and organizations, can learn from these international workers and their families to contribute to their transition and healing. In particular, we need to find new ways to help them help themselves, long after the end of the transition retreats and workshops we offer.

The question I am exploring for my research is “How can spiritual self-leadership encourage identity development and sense of belonging in ATCKs in order for them to fully realize their potential and value contribution in the workplace?”

Read more...

6 Gospel Truths for TCKs

Ethan, an adult Missionary Kid, shares 6 gospel truths for Missionary Kids & Third Culture Kids ...

"While there are many positive things about growing up as Missionary Kids, we face unique challenges and personal needs that sometime seem impossible to meet. Yet there is someone who promises to be able to meet those needs in a meaningful way, Jesus. The good news of Jesus is He can meet every need of our heart arising from growing up cross-culturally."

 

Read more...

Behind the Scenes (at MORE Network)

 A behind the scenes look at God's faithfulness in the MORE Network and an invitation to pray with us!

Read more...

Serving Leaders: Replacing Ourselves

How do we serve leaders? By thinking about how to replace them! Okay, maybe some of you will think this is a bad idea...

Read more...

Changing the Oil on your Cross-Cultural Worker

How do we care for our Cross-Cultural Ministry Workers? Using car maintenance as an analogy, Mark unpacks three ways the church can support & care for Cross-Cultural Ministry Workers.

 

Read more...

The Joy of Transitions

God calls us to follow Him in obedience. Almost always it means change. Leaving our comfort zone, we move into unknown territory, feeling anxious, fearful, and sometimes terrified. Yet we can journey through transitions with confidence, fearlessly, and with anticipation. What does transitioning God's way look like? 

Read more...

Christmas Memories from Around the World

Watermelon, Handprints and Fireworks ... What do they all have in common? They are all elements of favourite Christmas memories and traditions from our MORE staff, from around the world! 

Read more...

Wilderness ReBoot: Solitude, Community & Mission
Ben shares about how his love for the wilderness first started, and gives insight into what adult MKs (Missionary Kids) can expect at Wilderness ReBoot. 
Read more...
The Busyness of an MK (Missionary Kid)
I love airports. The hustle and bustle. People of every nationality streaming past me. The endless possibilities of flights to every corner of the world. As an adult now, I can admit that in trying to get my f...
Read more...
Adult Third Culture Kid Research
One of the main reasons I decided to pursue doctoral studies was to conduct research. Not just any research, but "Adult Third Culture Kid" (ATCK) research. For many years, I worked with children, teens, and adults from ...
Read more...
6 Gospel Truths for TCKs
Ethan, an adult Missionary Kid, shares 6 gospel truths for Missionary Kids & Third Culture Kids ... "While there are many positive things about growing up as Missionary Kids, we face unique challenges and personal ...
Read more...
Behind the Scenes (at MORE Network)
 A behind the scenes look at God's faithfulness in the MORE Network and an invitation to pray with us!
Read more...
Serving Leaders: Replacing Ourselves
How do we serve leaders? By thinking about how to replace them! Okay, maybe some of you will think this is a bad idea...
Read more...
Changing the Oil on your Cross-Cultural Worker
How do we care for our Cross-Cultural Ministry Workers? Using car maintenance as an analogy, Mark unpacks three ways the church can support & care for Cross-Cultural Ministry Workers.  
Read more...
The Joy of Transitions
God calls us to follow Him in obedience. Almost always it means change. Leaving our comfort zone, we move into unknown territory, feeling anxious, fearful, and sometimes terrified. Yet we can journey through transitions...
Read more...
Christmas Memories from Around the World
Watermelon, Handprints and Fireworks ... What do they all have in common? They are all elements of favourite Christmas memories and traditions from our MORE staff, from around the world! 
Read more...
Loving and Supporting MKs: One Church's Story
What are some ways you could love and encourage the MKs you know? Here's a story of how one church practically loved and supported MKs!
Read more...