Welcome to the life of an MK!

I love serving my students on a daily basis in the subject areas I am privileged to teach! Our students, as missionary kids (MK's) are gifted in their ability to transcend different cultures much easier at times than adults. Compared to their teachers, our students have a much deeper understanding of cultural norms; what works and what doesn't. Below, I am sharing a few examples of what this looks like as some of my students have shared their stories.

In my art class on Friday, we were painting some Georgia O'Keefe flowers and talking about traveling and living in the Middle East. On my return from Israel last week, three of us were picked to go through the slow security line instead of the regular line. The regular security line is where the traveler takes off their hats, coats, scarves, belts, watches, empty pockets, place electronics in the gray bins, etc. to go through the x-ray machine. In the slow line, one does the same thing except your things are carefully swabbed with a special stick to check for dangerous chemical residue. There were two ladies who randomly chose passengers to join the slow line. Lucky us! This is why one arrives 3 hours before your flight leaves when departing from Israel. We waited close to 2 hours before arriving at the table and x-ray machines. C, who was a part of our group, had purchased a Palestinian turban from a street vender in Bethlehem. When the lady searching through his items found it, she searched his items again more thoroughly and questioned him about his reasons for traveling in Palestine.

I mentioned our story in class and two of my students had big eyes with surprised looks on their faces while E shouted out "What?! Why would he do that?!" They assumed he would know better! Being an MK living or growing up in the Middle East, these kids understand more about the conflict going on between the people groups. They KNOW what you should and should not do! One does not take items purchased on Palestine through Israeli security! These students often times make the assumption that others know and understand these cultural norms! Not quite! These kids are amazing! They understand cultures much more than most adults do!

E shared about traveling with her mother our of one Middle Eastern country and being taken aside to answer questions. Their father was not traveling with them. E's little brother began to cry and thought his mother was in serious danger! He was very frightened! After answering questions, they were able to travel on without incident. These kids live in a whole different world than I grew up in! I love sharing a passion for art with them! As we create, we also talk, share stories and get to know each other better. I am blessed with a side of my students I do not always see in the regular core subject classroom. They are more relaxed in the art classroom. I love these kids!