TCKs/MKs

Photo of a HOPAC classroom.

What's that?!

TCKs/MKs are the kids I will teach and minister to in Tanzania. TCK stands for Third Culture Kid. A TCK is "a person who has spent a significant part of his or her developmental years outside the parents' culture." (Pollock, David, The TCK Profile) MK stands for Missionary Kid, the child of a missionary.

I don't know the specific backgrounds of my students-to-be, but TCKs/MKs generally (according to Pollock again):

• Transition frequently between cultures
• Are surrounded by others who also come and go
• Live among people who look/act/believe differently... and are often more privileged
• Expect to eventually repatriate
• Have an awareness that they represent their parents and their parents' organization

I'm excited to meet my students and hear about life through their eyes. The mix of cultures and backgrounds will be interesting to have in a classroom.

If you're praying for my students and me, two areas I have heard my students might need help with are dealing with transitions and change and having a healthy connection to their parents' work. Please pray that I would teach them well in all areas, academic and spiritual, and that I would minister to their unique needs that arise from being TCKs/MKs.

Sweet Sorrow

Last Thanksgiving with my immediate family.

Romeo and Juliet seemed overly melodramatic to me, because they had known each other for so short a time. But, as I come closer to leaving people that I've known for a long time, Shakespeare's words ring true...

It is sweet to be with my family, friends, and co-workers. It is sweet to think of our history together, the mutual support in low times and the joys we've shared. It is sweet to know that God has lovingly given me these people, and that we will continue to be joined in some way as I leave the country for the next two years.

It is sorrow to know that the normalcy and closeness will soon be dramatically altered. It is sorrow that some people do not share a relationship with Jesus, and His insurance of salvation. It is sorrow, or at least poignant, to remember all the beautiful memories we share, times never to return.

I was thinking all this during my recent spring break from school. I had a lovely time at the Oregon Coast with my immediate family and two of my favorite friend-families. Now there are a couple months left of school, and I am enjoying my kiddos and colleagues.

My departure date is set: July 18th! I have tickets, flying to Dar es Salaam, Tanzania!

Bird Weaver Family!

http://www.environmentalgraffiti.com/



I am excited to share that HOPAC has found me, and 4 other incoming female teachers, a home! It sounds quite lovely, with a view of the Indian Ocean, a 3 minute walk to school, and a family of bird weavers in the backyard bamboo! I had to research bird weavers, and found these photos and a video. Pretty neat little builders!

Also, I have been given the OK to buy plane tickets... so this new life is becoming reality... I feel the first flutters of butterflies :). 

One last thing: I'm curious about my blog audience... If you are willing, please leave a comment or send me an email osarahsarah@gmail.com to let me know you're checking my blog. Thanks!



Lovely Connections!

Hello!

I have had the opportunity to share at many churches and with many groups about Wycliffe's Bible translation, and my role teaching missionary kids.

It has been a blessing... speaking renews my vision of what I'm doing.
After sharing I get to experience the vital encouragement and support of the Body of Christ, His church.

Also, I have reconnected with many people through the sharing process, refreshing old memories. God is reminding me of all He has done in my life over the past ten years. Through His people and His Word, He drew me to Jesus, freed me from my sin and confusion, and is continually drawing me closer. I am thankful to enjoy the relationships His given. I am encouraged to see what He's done, and know I can trust Him for the future.

Psalm 73:21-28

The Tides are Rising!

Doesn't that title just sound good?! I was a little disappointed by the last entry's title... boring. This one rings, even if it doesn't make as much sense. ...So I'll unpack it: First, the "tides" of my Monthly Budget Level are rising... to somewhere near 90%! God has provided; His people have given generously. We are working together to support Bible translation for Tanzanian peoples!

Second, I am blessed by the "tides" of affection from the body of Christ...

Two Sundays ago I shared at my church in Washougal, WA: New Horizons. I shared Wycliffe's vision and my part teaching missionary kids. The church responded with interest, affection, prayers, and financial gifts. I felt so blessed and happily humbled. One of the neat parts of sharing at New Horizons is that I was translated into Spanish as I delivered my message in English. The church includes multiple heart languages. They did not want to exclude anyone from understanding the messages, so they invested in an earpiece translation system!

This Sunday I will share with my church in Sunnyside, WA: Sunnyside Grace Brethren, another dear source of support and blessing.

Update and Video Clips

Hello!

A quick update: I'm somewhere over 77% of the monthly quota I need! Teaching in Sunnyside is going well. I just resent paperwork to Tanzania, after the first attempt was lost in the Postal Triangle. I am continually thankful for the good friends, church, teaching experience, and family that God has blessed me with these past five years.

A taste of Tanzania: These two short video clips are straight from Tanzania! The first is about a translator from a first language group who shared a translation of Luke with his family... and their responses. The second is about translators near Lake Victoria, a project that I think would like to visit and perhaps teach at if I stay in Tanzania longer than two years.

Snow Angels and More!

Midnight Snow Angels

I went on a midnight walk in the snow last night... I won't be doing THAT in Tanzania next year!

It's vacation. The school week ended sweetly, with kids saying that they'd miss me so much (only a little under the influence of hot cocoa I hope).

My church decided to support me, which is a show of the encouragement a they are to me and their devotion to God's Word.
The additional support bumped me to at least 77% of the monthly quota!

Today I got the last installments of my Hepatitis A & B series... more shots to come in the spring!

My teaching certificate application for Tanzania is lost in the postal twilight zone... a minor inconvenience among the blessings God is giving me, as support comes in, my students are sweet & funny, and I get to spend time with dear family and friends over the vacation.