In a series of very vulnerable journal entries, 14-year-old Taylor processes her emotions of her transition to Japan when she was 9 and the difficulties and joys of life there. While on home assignment in the US, Taylor finally let herself grieve losses and name her emotions. The book is split into 2 sections: the first part is focused on her pain and in the second is able to see the joys in her experiences.
It can be hard to read about her loneliness and how desperately she wanted to fit in with the Japanese people around her. I just wanted to give her a big hug (but I don’t know her and that would be weird!). Seeing how God put caring people in her life even when she couldn’t recognize them as blessings is encouraging and a reminder that God is with all of us in our grief and transition and language learning and every difficulty.
“The MKs of Asian missionaries have been unwittingly neglected, because many of us Asians felt that we should sacrifice ourselves and our family for the Lord and our ministry.”
This sad truth of the history of neglect of Asian MKs is addressed in this book with suggestions for how to change the patterns that have begun. With a look at the personal stories of Asian MKs and the development of better MK care, there is hope in the unfinished stories told. With fun anecdotes as well as a deeper look at finding identity in Christ, this is a wonderful book not only for Asian MKs but for all MKs and those who care about them.
This book has five parts:
- Biblical Sharing on MK Care
- MK Stories
- Development of MK Care
- MKs in MK Care
- MKs Advocating for MKs
I was unable to find an online seller of this book but you can contact the publisher at tck.sgp@gmail.com and they may be able to help you find a copy. If someone finds an online seller of this book, please let me know and I will add it here.
This compilation of essays, poems and letters from adult MKs from around the world shows the heart of missionary kids. The book is divided into 3 sections, all with about the same number of entries:
- Adjusting (with entries like “Furlough,” “Can I Come Home,” and “Alien Planet USA”
- Anecdotes and Adventures (with “To Catch a Plane” and “Lessons from Amazonas”
- Identity ( with “Belonging,” “Pieces of My Heart” and “My Homeland”
This book is difficult to find and I could only locate one seller, in Canada. However, it is a great collection from a broad selection of MK that other MKs can relate to.
This collection of writings from Asian MKs who have lived all around the world gives insight into the experiences of MKs of all ages. The book is split into three sections: Children, Adolescents and Adults with journal entries from different MKs on a variety of subjects from school to goodbyes to rootedness. Most of the writers have a connection to Hong Kong (where the editor is based) and have at least one Chinese parent but their experiences are varied. Many issues unique to Asian MKs are addressed, like differences in education systems, maintaining Chinese roots, and cultural differences within the family.
This book would be great for Asian TCKs processing their own experiences, Asian missionary parents and those working with Asian MKs. Understanding a TCK perspective other than the Western one is beneficial to all TCK workers, as well.
Mariama traveled by car, train, boat and plane from her home in Western Africa to a new world in a grey city. She has to learn a new language, a new way to eat and even a new way to play with friends. But even with all the differences, Mariama learns that children everywhere are still children. She made new friends who taught her how to live in her new home while she taught them (and the readers) about Africa, too.
This could be a story of a TCK or an immigrant child, but the themes overlap and the focus is on moving and cultural adaptation.
Available in Spanish here.
Reading level: age 3-6 years
The Becker family returns in this book, less sympathetically portrayed than in Portofino. Mr. Becker’s foul-mouthed, foul-tempered mother has moved in with the family while she recovers from a broken hip, and the family is not taking it well. Calvin, now age fifteen, spends much of his time dreaming of running away to Italy to his beloved Jennifer. There are quite a few sexual references (mostly in fantasy form) throughout the book. Still a funny book in places, I found myself laughing less than I did while reading Portofino. More often I sat shaking my head in disgust at the very un-Christlike behavior of Calvin’s self-righteous parents (surely any mission board’s worst nightmare come true). The Beckers do not paint a very flattering portrait of missionaries and their work and they do not seem likable in this book.
