MK forum

Just some thoughts on additional safety measures that might be wise:
1) child clearances on every missionary - on the field we were codependent on each other, so even the single male or female missionary had some MK duties when parents got sick, a vehicle breakdown, lots of scenarios. At Via a bookkeeper could cut hair, one man on base had some chiropractic experience (very scary thought), any little skill and you could teach
2) in my brothers mission, their is a position at headquarters for MKs, she actually travels around the world, and meets and talks to every single MK. Does any other mission do this?
3) help the MK learn the national language
4) go over emergency procedures with all MKs
5) keep down on unnecessary moves (we moved 5 x's in 2 years because other missionaries wanted us to live in their homes while they were away)
6) don't identify every MK "behavior" as just sin--it's probably trying to communicate . . .
7) allow extra time for at least one parent to take extra time with the kids (we were locked in the house for a month while language class was going on across town). Like, nobody could have come to the house to teach us? And did that month make such a difference?

Please modify and add, subtract . . .

Add? Subtract? Modify? Not from me!

How about just comment? This post was breathtakingly insightful and refreshing. I especially commend you for point number 6: "don't identify every MK 'behavior' as just sin--it's probably trying to communicate . . ."

A whole book could be written on that... If and when sin is involved, it needs to be dealt with as sin. However, it is a huge mistake to think that that is ALL that needs to be considered, a mistake I myself have been guilty of making. This topic would probably also feel at home under the "Black and White Thinking" thread.

8). Provide post-trauma counseling. Via as well as other schools had some terrible deaths--with completely inadequate resources for the children. The adults were too involved in the crisis themselves to be of help . . .here we fly experts in within 4 hours of a situation. I recommend a designated trauma team to go from country to country helping the
MKs in the following situation: 1) Crime committed against the family
2) Abuse allegations
3) Health crisis
4) Death
5) Family meltdown (affairs coming to light, teenage
pregnancy)

What do you think? Are our MK's worth it???

You can tell I've been out of that culture too long . . .really, it's no wonder many missionaries get that god-complex. As a nurse, people expect me to know what to do about my own health issues, and have the right resources to carry them off. However, it's been incredibly therapeutic for me to go to physical therapy, where they know more, and be able to fine-tune the healing. Not only physically, but emotionally to know that someone else is looking one aspect of my life is comforting. Oh yeah, missionaries are supposed to sacrifice everything, right? As in the "So Send I You" hymn?

Allbetter, are you on pain pills or something?!?

Indeed. Have to keep the troops entertained.