Today we have Sarah with us. Welcome, Sarah!
1. Can you tell us a bit about yourself and the different cultures you are part of?
Salutations! I grew up as a military kid in a family of eight. We lived in England for six years and in Germany for eight. I graduated high school in Germany and decided to work on base for about a year before our family moved back to the state of Texas on another assignment for my dad. So the cultures I have been a part of are my parents’ Midwestern and Southern American roots, and British, German, and military cultures.
2. What is one memory from your time in one of your non-passport countries that you would like to share?
One spring we went to Italy. I loved it there! The food, history, culture, plus sun. However, my parents camped all over Europe, and on this occasion, it was no different.
They were looking for a base that had a campground on it when we accidentally arrived in Naples, Italy. Naples had so much traffic, my dad was sweating as he drove.
We finally arrived at the campground, but the clouds had begun to grow dark and the smell of rain was in the air. So my parents quickly set up camp. Little did they know that in the morning, our tents would be covered in ants, as they had pitched the tents on ant hills. The ants had gone deep underground because a really bad storm took place in the middle of the night.
Needless to say, I think this was the quickest takedown of camp we ever had. A literal ants-in-your-pants retreat.
3. What is the hardest thing about being a TCK?
The hardest thing is missing the places and people you grew up with and knowing that even if you go back, it will never be the same.
I really loved the church and the people who were a part of my life in England. We would explore historical sites together, and I appreciated the pastor’s wife teaching us, as she always had fun songs and visuals.
4. Who was someone that you met in one of your non-passport countries that made a difference in your life and how?
We had British neighbors, as we lived off base. I remember befriending two boys down the street and another girl. I realized how hard it is to truly witness to people, but what a joy it was to get to know them.
5. What characteristics of God have you learned most about as a TCK?
There are so many characteristics of God, but I think compassion and kindness come to my mind first. Compassion, because we are all lost without the Lord despite our different backgrounds.
If it weren’t for the gospel of Christ, that He died for sinners, I would be utterly without hope. This world would seem darker than it is. Having His compassion and kindness has allowed me to view people in the way He sees them.
6. What is one thing you would like to tell your fellow TCKs?
“But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; who once were not a people but are now the people of God, who had not obtained mercy but now have obtained mercy. Beloved, I beg you as sojourners and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts which war against the soul, having your conduct honorable among the Gentiles, that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may, by your good works which they observe, glorify God in the day of visitation.” 1 Peter 2:9–12 NKJV
You are chosen by God and bought with a price. Remind yourselves daily of how the gospel affects your life more than being a TCK, or whatever culture you are a part of, does.
Rehearsing the gospel to ourselves changes our hearts so that we are ready for the daily tasks He has given us to do. Even the mundane things of sweeping floors.
