MK's

MK’s or missionary kids are a special breed of child and young person. Before coming to PNG for our three month stints, I had the impression that parents were short changing their children by bringing them to the mission field. Boy was I wrong!

The MK’s currently living in Kudjip at the Nazarene Hospital Station range from age 3 months to 17 years. Several were born here and some have older siblings that grew up on the mission field and are currently in the States living, working and attending universities.

Depending on the age of the MK, they attend school for several hours a day. Kindergarten through 8^th grade is in one school house and has one teacher and various volunteer assistants through the school year. At the present time there are eight children in elementary. There are also eight high school aged young people living at Kudjip. Two will be leaving for universities in the States this fall. Much of the curriculum is taken from home schooling programs and each individual has a computerized program they work with.

The after school hours are special here. The hospital station covers approximately 350 acres and is about ½ mile in length. There is a lower area that is bordered by the Waghi River; the upper area where the missionary homes, staff homes and hospital occupy about half of the area. This upper portion is fairly free range for the kids. Scot and I were just sitting down for dinner and three very muddy teens came walking by. They had been playing mud football. I’ve watched several of the teens practicing belaying up rather tall trees. There is a rather decrepit court for playing tennis or basketball. Capture the flag, volleyball and ultimate Frisbee are also favorites with the teens. Basketball and volleyball are often played with the local children and students from the local nursing school. There are only a handful of televisions on the station and only one channel so and viewing is extremely limited. There is internet available, but service is frequently sporadic and slow.

The younger children enjoy many “aunts and uncles” – all the missionaries and volunteers are aunt or uncle. For Valentine’s Day they made valentines and heart shaped pretzels to pass out to the aunts and uncles. The younger MK’s will go to the hospital to sing, pass out Bible verses and visit with the younger patients. Riding bicycles is a frequent pastime, also tree climbing and just playing outdoors.

For those adventurous and who have parents willing, there is tubing on the river. I haven’t done it myself, but I have observed several coming back with bumps and bruises, including Scot. (He described it as a near death experience.) Game nights, or movie nights (There are numerous DVD’s to share; Scot and I are currently enjoying Downton Abbey/seasons 1/2.) for the teens and adults are quite common. Life at the Nazarene Hospital Station in Kudjip is a peaceful and loving experience. The love and care for each other, the patients and staff are a wonderful representation of Christ’s love for each of us.

I am truly blessed to be able to live here for three months each year and I now envy the families that have been raised in this setting.

Tyronza