missionary kid

Gold Bounty – Lanterns in the Dark

Gold Bounty is a poem by Claire Hellar Adderholt. A little about me: I’m a missionary kid who grew up in Papua New Guinea and, after living in California and Colorado, now live with my husband in Birmingham, Alabama. I’m a UCLA grad and love Tolstoy, Taylor Swift, mountain hikes, peonies, and whiskey. My work can be found at The Rabbit Room, Calla Press, Wilderness House Literary Review, and Melusine. I can also be found at @claire_de_luned on Instagram or at Lanterns in the Dark on Substack.

Gold Bounty

Shucking corn:
an oldest of human traditions.

My carpenter husband says
Let’s move to the woods and grow corn
and raise a roof over land that’s ours.

I was raised in a rainforest,
on a mountain
with fields and fields of goldenrod

the color of corn,
and shucking corn, I wonder:
is the movement through fields the same –

fields of corn and goldenrod:
does the brightness of the light
burn so transparent it glows the same the world
over –

and is there anything to distinguish old farm traditions
from the bounty the hills give, miraculous and easy –
or is it all movement, walking through slender stems that rustle,
a bounty of leaves and splendor?

all light, and green leaves,
and everything spread at our feet
for labour, and appeasement of hunger,
and a richness to satisfy
the human soul?

there is a brightness to all this transcendence.

let us go then, you and I,
to the cornfields of gold on high
and harvest, beloved, all this radiant,
given glory

Read more TCK poems here!

By CulTuremiKs, ago

Bird of Paradise

bird of paradise painting

“Bird of Paradise”
How often did I see these in Congo growing up and now even here at the coast of California and also where I live in Fresno, California. They are so beautiful and a reminder of my past in Congo. ~ Gary Prieb

What is a Bird of Paradise? Find out here!

See more paintings by Gary Prieb here!

new years dancing - three colorful African women dancing

“New Years Dancing”
Please enjoy the painting I did around New Years 2024. Without dancing African culture would be blasé. It’s found everywhere there. Some of us, including me, could pick it up a notch ourselves if we only let loose a bit and gleefully “fly”, as these three are. But then, my joints are too creaky and stiff! ~ Gary Prieb

By CulTuremiKs, ago

TCKs for Christ

TCKs for Christ strives to serve, encourage, and challenge teenage Christian TCKs and young adult TCKs to live victoriously with a firm identity in Jesus. TCKs for Christ considers all types of Christian TCKs such as missionary kids, business kids, diplomat kids, etc. They publish articles, interviews with TCKs, poetry and send out content via their newsletter.

Their team is made up of TCKs from around the world (five continents, to be precise) with various backgrounds, all connected by their faith, their desire to serve, and their love of writing.

Find out more by visiting their website, tcksforchrist.com

By CulTuremiKs, ago

For Faraway Friends – TCK Poems

For Faraway Friends is a collection of poems. All poems were written by Chana Noeth, and originally published on TCKsforChrist.com. Find out more about Chana and read more of the For Faraway Friends collection by clicking the link!

Letter to a Friend as I Leave

No tear runs down my cheek
As I give you a last embrace
As you stand and wave
My smile remains steady
My step is confident and sure
As I turn and walk away
Do not be fooled, my friend.
I’m not so emotionless as I seem.

As I give you a last embrace
I soak up what it feels like
As you stand and wave
I commit to memory your face
As I turn and walk away
I am hyper-aware of my surroundings.
I am pensive and sentimental
At our parting, my friend.

The air is slightly cool
But not enough to bring a chill
Your eyes are so bright and clear
The sight of them makes me smile
Your embrace is strong yet gentle
Infused with the warmth of your affection
And I’m amazed at how precious you are
Though my time here was short—
The things I’ll carry with me
The memories shared
That I’ll cherish forever.

It’s moist outside and I try to place it—
I’m not sure it’s quite drizzling
But it’s not considered a fog—
Even the not-rain can’t decide
But to lightly imply precipitation
Not really enough for an umbrella
But by the time I’ve walked far away
It’s enough to leave me wet
With reality: I’ll miss you.

And I’ll miss this street
And I’ll miss that tree
And I’ll miss that shop
And I’ll miss the church
And I’ll miss this weather
That can never decide
Whether it’s coming or going
Just like me: I hope I’ll return
But I don’t know if I ever will.
And just like you say of the weather,
It’s the spice of life.

And I wonder what you’re thinking
As I leave you
I wonder if you’re wishing
I would cry or show emotion
I’m pretty sure you’re thinking
You’ll miss me too
And I’m thinking
How much I used to hate it
When people would leave me.
I know the feeling all too well.

I’m remembering how I felt
When a friend came who I grew to love
Poured herself all in (just like I have)
Explored and tried new things—
It felt like I’d known her for ages
We talked about everything—
And then she was gone.
And she left with a smile on her face
No promise of return
(And I begged her to return).

(She never did.) Now I’m in her place
And I’m reliving that parting—
I don’t know exactly what you’re thinking
But I suspect I know
And that knowing makes this parting
Very poignant for me.
I’ve always been sentimental
But it’s hard to leave a place
When I know how it feels to be left
It’s harder to enter a place
And dive all in
When I know it might hurt you to love me.

Dear friend, I don’t know why
Life is filled with partings
But it is.
And that friend I met long ago
Taught me a lesson about loving wholly
So as much as it may hurt,
I think it’s worth it
And I hope you’ll understand
That if I never see you again
It’s not because I don’t love you.
I do.
And I’m so grateful I didn’t let fear hold me back
From loving you.
I think I finally understand how she felt
When she had to leave me.
Though I’ve not seen her since,
I learned much from her
And laughed and loved
Even as I have with you.

Labor of Love

A groan of anguish seeks to escape—
I barely contain it.
Why, why, WHY
Why does it feel so broken?

This was to be a joyful reunion,
A celebration of the fruit of many years—
Yet here is heartache in the happiness.

All those years of labor and love,
Learning, laughing, making mistakes,
Working hard, patiently longsuffering.

All those tears of frustration and fear,
Not knowing if the work would last another day
Drudging through bias and politics and sickness and war
(Both the seen and the unseen)

All those years
All those tears
And for what?

After pouring our lives into these people,
This project, this purpose,
We’ve come back to visit and we find
Such heaviness and hardship.

Was it in vain?
To be put in a box and shut away
As if it never happened?

Was it a waste?
All those years
All those tears—
Gone?

I said my goodbyes years ago
And tucked the memories into my heart
As mementos of my childhood,
My home, my friends.
I thought I said goodbye.

And then I came to visit.
All the memories, all the hopes and fears
And laughs and loves
All the good years
Came flooding back.

But now I must leave for good.
My heart is breaking again,
Worse this time because
This crack is on top of another
Not yet fully healed.

All those years
All those tears
And for what?
Would it have been better
To never come here?

I cherished this place as my home
I loved these people as my family
I embraced this culture as my own
And then I had to leave—
Oh, how ecstatic this return!

Every moment excitement and joy
Every interaction perfect
Like I’m home again!
But now it hits me.

I’m giving her my last hug—ever?
Will I never walk this street again?
Will I never eat fruit from that tree again?
Must I truly say goodbye
To this place I love?

Oh, the tears
Oh, the years
The pain of this loss is physical.

Why does it feel so broken?
Will it ever be okay?
And yet
There is grace through the turmoil.

Love and loss
Lament amid joy
Seeds to harvest
Unity amid division
Together and apart.

All those years
All those tears
Seeds were planted.
Bridges were built.
Love was grown.

Maybe it seems
Worthless
Useless
In vain
Or a waste
But no.
We serve a God who’s always working
Who’s bigger than space and time,
Injustice and poverty.

Our work was not in vain
Because the work was God’s.
These friends are not lost
Because they’re eternal family.
This people is not done
Because we’ll worship with them
In paradise.

All these years are in His hands
All these tears He holds in a bottle.
God is working,
Just wait and see.

Read more TCK poems about faraway friends here.

By CulTuremiKs, ago

Run of the World – Original Song

Run of the World is an original song written by Hannah Mathews and performed by Hannah and Moriah Mathews. Hannah and Moriah are TCKs, and this song is about the mobility and transition of an international lifestyle, and how it impacts an understanding of “home”.

Lyrics:

Run of the World

Will you hold on to me
When my soul is giving up?
Will you stay by my side
When my mind slides past midnight?
And I know that I am asking
For more than I can give
But I’ve never had enough
To settle down

Cuz I’m on the run from something
But I don’t know what
Like a hound from hell
Baying on my heels
And I never get away
But it never catches up
I keep letting go
And it keeps me moving on

Will you whisper in my ear
That the world is all the same?
Will you hold my love for ransom
If I choose to walk away?
And I know that I’ve been traveling
Far and farther away
But it seems now that I’ve gone
Nowhere at all

Cuz I’m on the run from something
But I don’t know what
Like a hound from hell
Baying on my heels
And I never get away
But it never catches up
I think it’s using satellites to trace me

Maybe you could try that
Maybe it might work
All I ask is if you find me
That you help me find myself

Cuz I’m on the run from something
But I don’t know what
Like a hound from hell
Baying on my heels
And I never get away
But it never catches up
I race for greener grass
But all the earth’s the same garden

I never get away
But it never catches up
Maybe I could call this home
After all

More TCK music videos

More videos from Hannah and Moriah

By CulTuremiKs, ago

My Own Car – Spoken Word

by Ghanaperu
My Own Car – Spoken Word
by Ghanaperu

When I was in the village
Somebody asked me, and I don’t remember
Who they were
They asked me
If I had a car.
And I said yes.
Then they asked me if my sister
Had a car.
And I said yes.

And I saw on their face
That it didn’t make sense
And I started to explain
In America, if you don’t have a car
You can’t have a job
And if you don’t have a job
You can’t make money to live.

And they looked at me.
And I looked at them.
And they said
Does your mom have a car.
And I said yes.
And they said
Does your dad have a car.
And I said yes.
And they said
Does every person in your house
Have their own car.
And I thought of all seven of us
And I said yes.

And I wanted to give some explanation
I wanted to say that
This is just normal here
And
Everybody has their own car
I wanted to say
I worked hard for what I have
And I wanted to say
There are people
Who live in this country
Who don’t have a car
People who are poorer
Even than I am
And you know I’m poor
Because I qualify for five different types
Of government assistance but
There are people who have less
Than I do
Who do not have any cars

But I said none of that
I just looked at him
And he looked at me

And I wanted to say
I’m sorry
If I could give you my car I would
If I could trade places with you
I would
If there was some way I could share
All my privilege and benefits
I would
And if there was some way I could trade
My birthright with you
I would
But I can’t

But I said none of that
I just looked at him
And he looked at me
And we didn’t say anything
But I know
The same look I saw in his eyes
That nothing made sense
That he could not imagine
What I was saying
That same look in his eyes
I know is the same look
That people see in my eyes here
Because it doesn’t
It just doesn’t make sense

So I tried to imagine having a car
My car
In the village
I tried to imagine
Driving it to Makeni and going to market
I tried to imagine coming out of market
And putting my groceries in the car
And driving back home
I tried to imagine my sister
Living in the same
House as me
And having her own car
And it just made no sense

It made no sense

And I’m not
Confused
Exactly
I just don’t get how
These worlds can be so different
And how
I can be in both of them
And yet not either

And I just don’t get
What answer I was supposed
To give him
That would ever make sense
Or any answer
I could give him
That he could understand
Because
I couldn’t even find an answer
That I could understand

Yes
I have my own car
And yes
Every person in my house
Has their own car
And no
I don’t know why

Another spoken word poem by Ghanaperu

Check out CulTuremiKs’ YouTube channel!

By CulTuremiKs, ago

TCK Resources – an online book archive

TCK Resources is a website designed to be a collection of resources for Third Culture Kids (TCKs): those individuals who have spent a large amount of their childhood in a culture different than that of their parents, and so develop a sense of belonging to both cultures. This includes Missionary Kids, Military Brats, children of business people or diplomats, or any other expat family.

They have organized these resources in a way that makes it easy to find something relevant to you, whether you’re a parent or teacher of TCKs or a TCK yourself. You can filter and search for just the book (or video, movie, etc) you want by intended audience, genre, topic, and location.

Check it out here!

By CulTuremiKs, ago

Interaction International

Interaction International

Interaction International collaborates and networks to provide a quality flow of care for the global TCK community; this is accomplished by a worldwide strategy of developing services and resources, providing curriculum and training, and advocating for the needs and potential of TCKs.

Core Values

Prayerfulness
Interaction International is committed to prayer and discernment for forward movement, direction and growth.

Comprehensive Care
Interaction International advocates and works for the improvement of care for TCKs of all backgrounds, with a focus on those from the faith community, and their supporting communities globally.

Sustainable Generosity
Interaction International stewards resources and personnel in an open-handed and responsible manner that promotes longevity while living by faith.

Team Cohesion
Interaction International’s staff team is committed to faithfully caring for each other professionally and personally.

Continual Learning
Interaction International is committed to practices of deep listening, education, and growth to enhance our responsiveness to the changing realities of those we serve.

Visionary Strategies
Interaction International pursues cutting edge solutions to challenges, needs, and potentials of TCKs; raising the standard for improved care and equipping.

Collaborative Leadership
Interaction International strategically pursues relationships towards common goals in current and future expansion of TCK care. We support and champion what others do well and seek to lead humbly, creating connection and synergy.

By CulTuremiKs, ago

What Keeps You Here?

a strawberry

What keeps you here
I ask my heart
Stranger in a strange land, so white, so clean

These fields in June, she laughs
Your red-stained fingers
A taste of heaven beneath each leaf
And this sky expansive and clear

I wonder why, my heart, you hold
Steady on small delights after
Months of sifting memories
Under grey skies
Testing each day as we
Walk out into this not-all-bad
But still foreign place

I am young, says she –
A child who races, explores,
Finds beauty even here
And welcomes the new, trusting
Inviting sweet existence even
Within this space of not belonging

I hold out for
Simple Wonders;
Encounters with the Presence

Crouched amongst the rows I ponder this
Sifting through the too-soon and the already-past
I find it.
The ripest, the reddest berry
Welcomes me into the perfect balance
Proves to me that
Yes, child, even here, even you,
Have abundant peace.
The taste and texture of now.

By Bree Becker, a third culture kid from Rwanda and Kenya who now lives in Oregon, USA.

By CulTuremiKs, ago