I Am A Third Culture Kid

My sister Mary (Left) and I (Right) 

Three months after I turned four years old, my parents moved our family across the ocean to Kenya, East Africa. Having surrendered their lives to be missionaries, we were moving to the land of Kenya so they could begin their work.

I don't remember much about our move. However, there is a vague recollection of being on a large jet. And I do remember walking from the airport terminal to the parking lot with my grandparents, parents, and others. Beyond that, though, I don’t remember much of the first year or so.

Growing up in Kenya I was blessed to experience so many amazing things. Some of my favorites…

* Going to the Game Park.
A Game Park is a protected piece of land where the animals have free reign. They are allowed to live in their natural habitat, and we as guests get to drive around and observe them. It is one of the most amazing experiences and everyone should take every opportunity to go.

A few of the unique things I got to experience include watching a baby giraffe being born. Observing a herd of elephants traveling down the middle of the road, surrounding the calves to keep them safe. A pride of lions lounging in the sun on the side of the road, almost close enough to touch. Eating breakfast in the car in the middle of the road because a lioness was sunning herself on the only bridge across a large ditch.

There are few words that can be used to describe the incredible blessing it was to grow up where I could constantly be reminded of God’s power and see His creativity on display.

*Learning a new culture.
Although I was unaware of it at the time, I entered an entirely new culture when my family moved to Kenya. I was blessed to be young enough when we moved that the ways of the Kenyan people were easily learned and even to this day I struggle to identify some of the cultural differences.

The reason for this is that I became what is called a Third Culture Kid. I blended the culture from my birth country, America, with that of my country of residence, Kenya, and thus created a third culture. I loved getting to go to the homes of some of the Kenyan people. I got to see how they live, experience their food, and fall in love with many aspects of their culture.

Although being a Third Culture Kid can be a challenge at times, I wouldn’t trade my experiences for the world!

*Ministry experience.
From birth, I was immersed in ministry. My parents graduated Baptist Bible College shortly after I turned two months old. They then moved to Indiana where they served on church staff in order to better equip themselves for living a life of ministry. Once they completed their internship, deputation began. We traveled all over the country, visiting church after church, in order to present our field.

When we moved to Kenya I watched as my parents dove fully into ministry. Between working in multiple churches, Sunday School, Junior Church, teaching in a Bible Institute, ministering to other missionaries and their children, my parents also homeschooled all three of us, took us on adventures, and ensured they spent time with us as a family.

By the time I reached thirteen, I too worked in various ministries. Following the example set forth by my parents, I was involved in the church choir. I began to teach Sunday School and Junior church, as well as assist during week-long Vacation Bible Schools at our main ministry.

When I moved back to the United States to attend college I already had several years of ministry experience. A huge blessing as it taught me so much about being a servant, and sharing the Gospel of Christ with others.

*Lasting friendships.
Every person needs a good friend or two. The kind of person that is always just a quick phone call or message away. A friend that you can share your best-kept secrets, biggest fears, most exciting accomplishments and news, and deepest hurts with.

For a missionary kid, or third culture kid, making friends can be a challenge. For me developing lasting friendships was and still is to this day, a struggle. When in Kenya there were cultural things I didn’t understand, my skin was a different color, my speech was different, and I didn’t live the same way they did.

When returning to America there were other cultural challenges. I wasn’t caught up on all the new music, movies, and books, which provided endless fodder for teasing from others my age. Seeing as I lived in Africa, my dress was different. My style was often outdated, and my clothing more conservative than many. Not to mention the way I talked was, and is still, different. I didn’t understand the slang that was used, and on occasion, my accent would surface.

However, along the way, a few came along that I am still great friends with today. There are people in Kenya that I have known since my first days there that I still share a great friendship with. Others who I’ve not known quite as long but still am blessed to call them friend.

Some of my friends live in countries other than Kenya or America. My circle of friends is spread out across Africa, Europe, and all across the United States. These friendships I would never have developed were it not for God placing my family on the mission field.

The best friendships of all, however, are the kind where despite the time and distance separating you it is as if you were never apart. I have three such friends, and one of them I have been great friends with over half of my life. Despite living in different states we both share the unique experience of being a missionary kid and a military wife. Our lives make seeing each other difficult, but when we do get to spend time together and chat the time apart just melts away.

Having a good friend, a close friend, is one of the biggest blessings God has bestowed on me and I thank Him every day for bringing into my life the people who have had such a profound influence on me.



I won’t say that being a missionary kid was always easy. Because it wasn’t. There were many hills and valleys that were navigated. BUT, what I can say is that getting the chance to grow up overseas, to experience the culture, meet the people, and see God working in the lives of so many people… well…

THAT is a blessing few get to understand, and one of the ones I am most thankful for in my life.