Third Culture Kid

Have you ever had one of those days when something just clicks in your mind? Well, yesterday was totally that day for me! In my training for teaching at an international school in Singapore, we spent the majority of the day talking about "Third Culture Kids" (aka TCKs). The funny thing is that I didn't realize that I AM ONE!!! So what is a TCK? A TCK is...

"[A] person who has spent a significant part of his or her developmental years outside the parents' culture. The TCK builds relationships to all of the cultures, while not having full ownership in any. Although elements from each culture are assimilated into the TCK's life experience, the sense of belonging is in relationship to others of the same background."

I lived in Indonesia for three years, while I was in 6th through 8th grade. I knew that this experience changed me, but I didn't fully understand how much until yesterday. As the presenter was explaining TCKs, I began to understand myself better. The feelings that I had when I moved back to the states in 9th grade and that I have had since were completely validated! It may seem dramatic, but for one of the first times in my life, I felt like I had a place to "belong", a people that understood me. Since living overseas, I have never felt totally comfortable here in the United States. Many of you know that I don't know much American pop culture. I think that part of the reason why is because I don't place the same value on it because of my love for other cultures (especially Asian cultures!). It's hard to fully explain, but here are a few characteristics of TCKs that may help you better understand us:

Benefits:

• Adaptable, Flexible, and Confident in Change
• Recognition of the importance of NOW
• Sense of Realism (loss comes to all)
• Independent (self-reliant)
• Culturally Tolerant and Adventurous

Challenges:

• Rootless, Restless, Migratory Instinct
• Guarded (reluctant to let people in)
• Emotional Flattening
• "Quick Release" Response (pull away quickly from relationships)
• Isolation and/or Alienation
• Uncertain in Passport Culture ("Own" Culture)

It's hard to completely explain all that I experienced yesterday, but let me tell ya, it was HUGE for me! I really wish I knew about TCKs sooner, but I am glad that at least I do know now! I am so excited to have a classrooms full of TCKs and to be able to help them understand what they are going through! May the Lord Jesus use my experiences as a middle schooler in Indonesia to speak to my students! All for the glory of His Name!

Pre-Field Orientation

So... from June 21st - July 2nd, I will be in Southaven, Mississippi (just outside of Memphis) for PFO. We're learning all of the important things that we need to know to be ready for moving overseas. All the soon to be missionaries with NICS are here, around 150 people, who will be going to the 20 different schools all over the world!

I arrived yesterday afternoon, so today was my first full day. I plan on blogging a few times while I'm here, but to get us started, here are a few of my first impressions:

• It's really encouraging to be around like-minded people! Seriously, everyone here has been SO nice and friendly. How easily we forget that there are people all over the US (and the world) that are living for the Lord! In just the short time that I have been here, it has been cool to hear stories of how God has brought people to this place in their lives. I've got one story in particular that I will probably share in a later post. And of course, it's been fun to meet the other new staff members who will be going to Singapore... they all seem super cool!!!

• We are going to be doing a lot of studying in 1 Peter. Here are two verses that were shared this morning that stuck with me. "Since you call on a Father who judges each man's work impartially, live as strangers here in reverent fear." (1 Peter 1:17) "Dear friends, I urge you, as aliens and strangers in the world, to abstain from sinful desires, which war against your soul." (1 Peter 2:11) The speaker was encouraging us, as we are about to be foreigners, to live a life above reproach; to be holy and fear the Lord. He explained how as we live in another country, our lives will be in the spotlight and many will look at us to see what Christianity is really like. It is challenging, but also exciting to think of the impact we can have!

• We did the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator and I am a "INTJ", which stands for Introversion, Intuition, Thinking, and Judging. I was actually pretty surprised at how well the test fits me! I think they hit the nail on the head! So you're probably wondering, "What does INTJ mean?" So glad you asked! haha... Here's a quick summary: Theory Based, Skeptical, "My Way", High Need for Competency, Sees World as a Chessboard, Independent, "Everything has room for improvement". Also, on the results sheet it says: "They have great powers of concentration, and are so determined to see their vision become a reality, they will work with tireless energy to turn out a flawless idea or product." and "Because of their sometimes impossibly high standards, INTJs tend to be perfectionists." So, there's a little insight into me, kinda scary!

Ok, that is all for now... more coming soon!

Support Letter

I am going to be moving to Singapore to teach with NICS, Network of International Christian Schools. Below is my support letter. It will give you a little background into how the Lord called me to Singapore! The good news is... that in just over a month, God has already provided all the support for my traveling expenses and set-up costs. God is GOOD! :)

Dear Friends in Christ,

I hope this letter finds you doing well! There is only a month left of school and it’s hard to believe that I will have taught in Cy-Fair ISD for four years! When I graduated from Texas A&M University and moved to Houston, I had no idea what blessings God had waiting for me here. He has given me precious friends, a body of believers at Houston’s Northwest Church, and has blessed me with hundreds of loving, precious students that have marked my life forever!

I have loved teaching math at Cy-Falls High School and being a curriculum coach at Langham Creek High School, but this past year I have felt God changing the desires of my heart. I prayerfully considered what God might have for me and the Holy Spirit strongly impressed upon me that He did indeed have somewhere else for me to serve Him. For many years, I’ve dreamt of living overseas and doing mission work. So, in mid-February, I stepped out in faith and went to a job fair in Southaven, Mississippi with the Network of International Christian Schools (NICS). At the job fair, I saw how God is using this organization to reach children and families all over the world with the message of Christ. The more I learned about the schools, the more excited I became!

NICS was founded 20 years ago to serve missionary families in South Korea. Currently, NICS has 20 schools in 16 countries with around 4,300 students from over 100 countries. The schools also open their doors to the international community. Diplomats and international business people from countries all over the world enroll their students in NICS schools. These families are made up of a wide-range of non-Christian religious backgrounds – including Islam, Hindu, and various eastern religions. These parents seek an English-speaking school for their children to attend where their child will be loved and accepted. They sign an agreement stating that they understand their child will be exposed to Christian teaching and the gospel message. At this time, 30% of the student body comes from missionary families, while 70% are from the international business and diplomatic communities. The opportunity to work with this diverse student body and share Jesus Christ with students who do not know Him is very exciting!! After much prayer, I agreed to accept the job of teaching middle school math and bible class at the International Community School (ICS) in Singapore for the next two years. I cannot wait to combine my passion for teaching math and love of children with Biblical truth that can radically change lives for eternity!!

All the teachers at the International Community School in Singapore are there serving as missionaries. They do receive a salary from the school, but need to raise funds for initial set up costs (plane ticket, setting up an apartment, etc). ICS partners with the umbrella mission organization, NICS (www.nics.org). All gifts are made out to NICS who then manages the teacher’s support, health insurance, etc… I need to raise $5,000 in initial set up expenses in 3 months time!! This may sound impossible – but we serve a BIG GOD!

Would you prayerfully consider how God might want to use you to partner with me in this very unique ministry that has the potential for HUGE impact? I covet your prayers most of all, but if you would like to help by making a one time gift, you can do so by simply filling out and returning the NICS support card included. All new teachers are to report to ICS the end of July, and in order to go, 100% of our support must be raised. Thank you so much for your quick response to this wide-open window of opportunity! May grace and peace be yours abundantly!!

Much love in the Lord Jesus Christ,

Kara Stucky

First Post!

Stay tuned for more posts by me... :)

Thanks to Julizza Holub for teaching me how to do this!