ents' sympathy that stems from a guilt complex— a complex that takes root from the idea that their role as missionaries deprives their son or daughter of so- called security and of social and educational advan tages. I’ve seen kids who have “ played on” this guilt complex on the part of their parents and who have not only succeeded in making themselves and their parents miserable but also have ruined Dad and Mom’s missionary ministry as well. Happily, such kids are in a minority. Young couples who are parents or who hope to be parents should not consider the mission field without fully counting the cost. The cost should be counted, not only in regard to themselves, but as it concerns their children as well. The children of every Chris tian must be laid on the altar but missionary parents experience this in a deeper sense. Before they leave the homeland they must recognize the possibility of being separated from their children just as they are willing to be separated from loved ones at home. Missionary husbands and wives must be willing to endure periods of separation also. No missionary parents will pretend that sending their child away from home to school is the ideal situ ation. However, if they have heard the Lord’s “ Go ye” they can, most certainly, reply on the veracity of the Word of God and conclude that what is re quired of them comes under the “ all things” of Philippians 4:13 and Romans 8:28, and can rejoice in the God who "is able to make all grace abound” (II Cor. 9:8). If missionary parents are well adjusted, happy in their work and have communicated this to their chil dren, and if the children feel that they are a part of the work and understand that the separation that they must undergo is their part in the task that God has entrusted to their parents, they will adjust. Not only will they adjust, but enjoy their lot, and consider it to be a privilege to be an MK. An MK, in most cases, has excellent opportuni ties for education. His teachers, generally, are earnest Christians who have dedicated their talents to the Lord, and are not teaching for what they get but for the joy of what they can impart. He has the advantage of being bilingual, if not trilingual, if he is ambitious. Opportunities for travel and experiencing other cul tures that other kids drool over in the National Geo graphic are his— at no extra cost! Most MK’s have an appreciation for home and family which other kids often fail to develop. An MK, wisely prepared by his parents, looks upon his lot not as a sacrifice but as a privilege. He sees himself, even as a child, as a “ co-laborer” together with God and his parents in the greatest of all tasks. This is most important. A missionary must communicate to his children that they are assets and not liabilities; that they are contributors, not complications; partici pants, not parasites. There are adjustments that an MK must make when he leaves the field for high school or college. 16
The same Lord, however, who helped him overcome when he left home to attend a boarding school on the field, is able to assist him over the new hurdles. In fact, MK's on the whole are more able to adjust than those who have come from homes where they have been dependent upon others for everything. My elder daughter tells of a girl she knew in her fresh man year in college who could not fix her own hair and who still sucked her thumb! MK’s are a resourceful lot. Having learned to accept authority at home, most of them do not rebel at the authority imposed in a school or a dorm. Respect for authority becomes a way of life which serves them well in their adult years. Long years spent away from home in a dorm situation, learning to adjust to substitute parents, to obey them and his teachers, provides discipline that enables him, in the Lord's strength, to overcome himself. It also gives him a greater sense of victory than that which comes to the modern young dissenter who overthrows but who does not overcome. Did you know that more mission ary children find their way into the columns of WHO’S WHO than those of people in other profes sions? Several years ago, a veteran missionary acquaint ance of mine was home on furlough. After my friend had spoken in a church of her work on the mission field, a lady approached her and sympathized, “ My, but your children must miss a lot being raised on the mission field.” “ Yes, thank God, they do,” was the missionary's fervent reply. Mission boards are becoming more aware all the time of the MK and his material, educational and social needs in addition to his spiritual needs. Oppor tunities for the MK all over the world are on the in crease. This is how it should be. However, the great est asset any MK can have in this world today is the same one that served so well a century ago— namely parents who believe that God meant what He said in Matthew 6:33, “ But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.” What is all this to you? In your praying for the missionaries and their work, do you pray for their children? Do you show any interest in their children’s spiritual and educational needs? Or have you just assumed or presumed that MK's have no needs or problems? Have you ever encouraged any missionary by helping him meet his children’s needs? Jesus said, “ Beware that you don’t look down upon a single one of these little children . . .” (Matt. 18:10, Living Gospels). Try to put yourself in the shoes of some mis sionary parents. Consider them, consider the MK’s and then consider what God would have you to do. Missionaries’ children need you. Reprinted by permission from The Gospel Message, March 1970. KB
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THE KING’S BUSINESS
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