What Is It Like To Be A "Missionary Kid"?

Such a loaded question and yet I am asked it all the time. Now I know I explained I don't like the term missionary kid and that is why I put it in quotation marks, because those aren't my own words. Anyways, I'm never really certain how to answer that question. I could give you a flowery answer and tell you it is great, I meet so many amazing people and I grew up in an awesome country and that I've gained so much life experience from how I grew up. Those are all true answers, but really only half of the answer. Being a missionary is difficult. Never have I realized that more then when I said good-bye to my older sister, Lindsay, who now lives in America and is attending Mount Vernon Nazarene University. Saying good-bye to family is the hardest part about being a missionary. But there are other things that make it especially difficult for a "missionary kid". To be put on a pedestal can be nice for your self-esteem at times, but it can

also put you under extreme pressure, which is hard to handle. I remember having a conversation with another missionary kid and she just wanted to say to everyone,

"Just because I'm a missionary kid doesn't mean I'm perfect!"

I felt the exact same way. But even in the midst of all this I have realized that God is the one that helps me be the role model I need to be and He helps me control my feelings when I feel like I can't take it

anymore. Being a missionary is difficult, but it isn't impossible, as we all know with God all things are possible.

Above is Alyssa with her older sister, Lindsay.