“Lord, throughout all the generations You have been our home!” (Psalm 90:1 NLT)
Sitting in the “Pieces of Purple Reading Group” with Pioneer Bible Translator friends Wednesday morning, I realized these are resources we need to share in our blog to get the word out. In this brief blog, we will only be able to give a short list of what we are learning but it would be irresponsible of us NOT to share! If you need a greater understanding of what it is like to grow up TCK/MK or would like what some have called “the MK primer you have been waiting for”, search no further. Michele Phoenix (see https://michelephoenix.com/pieces-of-purple/) has done the mission world a great favor! Having grown up an MK/TCK and having taught for 20 years at Black Forest Academy (Germany) she travels globally to consult, study and teach on topics related to MKs and TCKs. So let’s start with this encouragement: please get your copy of “Pieces of Purple: The Greatness, Grit, and Grace of Growing up MK” by Michele Phoenix. While you are waiting for your copy to arrive, the author has made her material available via podcasts as well as audio and video for free via YouTube complete with interviews with TCKs discussing the content of the chapters. She has started to release the audio book one chapter at a time. (Bookmark “Pondering Purple” on your podcast provider.)
You may already be wondering, what does all of this mean? An MK is a missionary kid. A TCK is a Third Culture Kid, or “a person who has spent a significant part of his/her developmental years outside the parents’ passport culture. The TCK frequently builds relationships to all of the cultures while not having full ownership in any.” (Third Culture Kid: Growing up among worlds)
Dr. Dottie Schulz, my mentor from Mission Resource Network and friend from work in Europe a “few” years ago, first alerted me to the fact that yes, my siblings and I are TCKs, as are all of those Brazle kids born in Belgium! She is the one who helped us realize we need to learn more about TCKs so we can understand and help where possible. This sent us on a multiple year journey helping with the Global Reunion of TCKs annually at OC and ABIDE Reentry retreats with TRAIN International in Joplin, MO. We have learned so much! It seems like we continue to learn.
For example, while on the reading group zoom Wednesday morning, we sat up straight when we read: When a child has 6-7 PCEs, their risk of depression in adulthood drops by 72%. (click on the link for the entire article from “JAMA Pediatrics” on this claim)
Now we need to have more explanations and definitions! A PCE is a Positive Childhood Experience as opposed to ACEs or Adverse Childhood Experiences. We do not have time or space to do a deep dive into these concepts that are fully explained in Michele’s book. But consider these simple summary ideas of PCEs both in and outside the home. Consider how important these are for our kids and grandkids!
Here is something to think and pray about: How intentional are we about encouraging and providing these Positive Childhood Experiences in our own circles? For example, consider ways to ask your kids if they are feeling heard in the home. Feel free to let us know what you think.
For more information on TCKs and PCEs, please follow the link to TCK Training or check out the Pondering Purple podcast.
