Family and Singles

CrossCultural Workers

The proportion of people living as singles is increasing in Western cultures. In fact, there are more unmarried adults than married ones in some Western countries already, and the trend is toward that in other countries as well. Ron has written a series of brochures, “Cross-Cultural Singles Issues,” to help individuals deal with some of the situations that arise when singles serve in other cultures.

CrossCultural Workers

Marriage is complicated enough! Then you through a cross-cultural living situation into the mix, and things begin to get really confusing. Here is an e-book which is the compilation of the article on this site on this critical issue. This book was revised in January 2010 and now has 19 chapters.

Association of Christian Schools International

The Association of Christian Schools International (ACSI) and Joyce Bowers have graciously given permission to post this book online for people to download free of charge because the book is out of print. This book contains the collected wisdom of 38 authors who wrote the 56 chapters. It was the collaborative effort of ACSI, Interaction, Inc., and Mission Training International (MTI) and provides resources for people who have responsibility for MKs and other TCKs.

CrossCultural Workers

Ron wrote a book for TCKs, one to accompany Understanding Adolescence (written for parents). Third Culture Kids are obviously created by living in two cultures, and the whole phenomenon of adolescence was invented by Western culture. This book examines the role of culture in creating adolescent TCKs, and includes a practical section at the end of each chapter, a section titled “What Can Adolescent TCKs Do?”

CrossCultural Workers

Since the “Adolescence” article is the one opened most frequently, Ron has updated his book, Understanding Adolescence, published by Victor Books in 1987. Written for parents of adolescents and children in their later elementary years, it is also helpful to teachers, youth workers and anyone else working with teenagers.

Trauma Healing Institute

This is a Bible-based resource to help parents and children cope in times of uncertainty, especially after a disaster or displacement. It is informed by best practices in mental health as well as two decades of experience using trauma healing materials worldwide with Christian churches from every tradition. God Is With Me is designed for families with children ages 8–12 but can be adapted for other ages.

Trauma Healing Institute

This is a Bible-based resource to help parents and children cope in times of uncertainty, especially after a disaster. It is informed by best practices in mental health as well as two decades of experience using
trauma healing materials worldwide with Christian churches from every tradition. God Is With Me is designed for families with children ages 8–12 but can be adapted for other ages.

American Bible Society

Maybe you’re feeling stuck right now, and don’t know how to get yourself going again, how to move forward when you don’t know how long things will be like this or if life will ever feel normal again. The activities in this book can be helpful in getting you through this crisis—or anytime your life gets turned upside down.

Ask A Missionary

“Questions about Family and Single Life Overseas” addresses the concerns of those heading overseas, providing insights into marriage, singleness, parenting, and mission work, covering topics such as singles’ perspectives, couples’ struggles, raising children abroad, and managing marriage roles, offering valuable advice from experienced missionaries.

Ask A Missionary

“Questions about Daily Life Overseas!” delves into the realities of missionary life abroad, addressing communication with supporters, expectations, language and culture learning, culture shock and stress, as well as sticky issues, providing insights from those currently living the missionary experience.

International Mission Board

Highlighting the vital role of single individuals in the missions force, articles explore the intersection of missions and dating, including the experiences of single women on the field and the dynamics of disparate longings.

Missionary Care

“Missionary Marriage Issues” brochure series delves into the intricate blend of cross-cultural living, marital dynamics, and ministry demands. Topics include callings, intimacy, cyberporn, wounds, child discipline, balancing marriage and ministry, finances, trailing spouses, fundraising, and remarriage, offering insights for missionary couples.

CrossCultural Workers

Cross-Cultural Singles Issues” addresses the unique challenges faced by single individuals engaged in cross-cultural work, covering topics like love, celibacy, loneliness, identity, sexual fantasy, housing arrangements, matchmakers, contentment, safety, community, the changing concept of singleness, the historical perspective on singleness in Christianity, dealing with being single again due to divorce, arranged marriages, and the topic of masturbation, offering valuable insights and guidance for navigating these issues in a cross-cultural context.

Missionary Care

“Missionary Marriage Issues” brochure series delves into the intricate blend of cross-cultural living, marital dynamics, and ministry demands. Topics include callings, intimacy, cyberporn, wounds, child discipline, balancing marriage and ministry, finances, trailing spouses, fundraising, and remarriage, offering insights for missionary couples.

CrossCultural Workers

The series : “Cross Cultural Marriage Issues” addresses the unique challenges faced by cross-cultural workers in their marriages, covering topics such as the impact of cross-cultural living on relationships, handling differing calls to ministry, managing time and digital distractions, addressing issues like cyberporn and wounds in relationships, dealing with cultural differences and in-law dynamics, and finding a balance between ministry and marriage, offering valuable insights and advice to navigate these complexities.

Barnabas International

Numerous resources to help cross-cultural married couples.

Oscar

Moving overseas with a toddler or young child can be challenging as they grapple with change and the loss of routines and familiar places, prompting parents to employ strategies like giving advance warning, creating keepsakes, using the phrase “new home,” and offering extra attention to help them adjust more smoothly.

Oscar

Children related information, advice and resources for those in mission and ministry. (N.B. TCKs = Third Culture Kids, MKs = Missionary Kids)

Interaction International

Interact is a “must read” for school personnel, parents, caregivers/counselors, home office personnel, and all those whose actions and decisions impact the lives of MKs/TCKs. Over the years, Interact has addressed crucial topics such as TCK/transition issues, second language issues, eating disorders, coping with evacuation, parenting issues, preparation for college and more.

Among Worlds

Among Worlds is the publication that goes directly to the heart issues many adult Third Culture Kids (ATCKs) face: relationships, grief, transitions, home, values and many more.

Expat Child

Expat Life With Children: Everything you need to know about parenting an expat child and some of the unique situations life overseas can bring to the family.

Global Trellis

For those who work with or have third-culture kids.

Global Trellis

Helping you support your parents as they age.

Narramore Magazine

The cost and the privilege of being a cross-cultural worker and caring for aging relatives.

Expat Child

Helping expat parents navigate moving and living overseas with their children.

TCK Care

The Portland based podcast is hosted by Steven Black, an adult TCK and TCK care coordinator, who grew up in Nigeria and hopes to focus his discussions on “the experience of growing up in a multicultural context” to enable families and communities to have discussions centered around caring for third culture kids.

TCK Tales

Stories told by Third Culture Kids, kids who grow up surrounded by two or more cultures due to parents traveling, the family culture of adoption. This could be expat kids, missionary kids, military kids, transracial and transnational adoptees, or multi-ethnic kids. These stores are about both the adventures and realities of growing up in between two cultures.

TCK VOF

A virtual online forum brought to you by Cru for Third Culture Kids. The podcasts features TCKs with varying experiences who come together to discuss topics & issues like transition, losses and growing up overseas. They welcome all TCKs and CCKs to take part in this project.

Axis

Axis helps caring adults navigate teen culture through a biblical lens to equip them for meaningful conversations that build lifelong connections.

Expat Child

Various Articles, Books and Resources for Families Moving Overseas with Children

Liza and Elly

13 ways you (and your children) can use art to have fun, express emotion and receive from Jesus

OMF International

Global Nomads, Multi-Cultural Kids, Third Culture Kids . . . they are the children of diplomats, missionaries, military personnel, business people, refugees, or economic migrants. These kids share the common bond of growing up in cultures that are different from their own and these experiences inadvertently affect them as they grow. This guide will help you glimpse some of the joys and challenges that Third Culture Kids (TCKs) experience as they grow up cross- culturally while their parents play their part in sharing the gospel. It will empower you to pray for them in return.