Funny, poignant, and nostalgic, You Know You're an MK When... captures the ideas, memories, and struggles of the children of missionaries (MKs) around the globe. If National Geographic makes you homesick, your friends remind you which side of the road to drive on, and you have a hard time with the question, "Where are you from?" this is definitely the book for you.
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"I wish I'd seen this book when I was thirteen," writes noted MK author Ruth Van Reken. Indeed, many are reading this book, and reliving many years or laughter, situations and feelings that they thought they were alone in experiencing as the children of foreign missionaries. Any person who has grown up in more than one culture has a thousand stories to tell, from embarrassing language mix-ups to food, from hilarious travel mishaps to poignant stories of tragedy, mirth, and longing. They are people who can call so many places, "home" that home becomes everywhere--and nowhere. There are the awkward moments of returning to "civilization" and finding it not so civilized, of going home to a place you've never been before. This book captures that, and puts down in black and white what some have wondered at for years. If you've lived the life of an MK, or know someone who has, this is one book that will surely make your day. -- MK author Ruth Van Reken
About the Author
Both Andy and Deborah Kerr grew up as the children of missionaries, and tell their life stories in terms of where they happened to be living at the time. Andy grew up in Costa Rica, California, and Spain, as well as spending a good deal of time in Germany. Deborah called Quito, Ecuador home for many years, with the occasional stint in New Hampshire in Costa Rica. They currently reside in Winona Lake, Indiana with their cat, Taffy, and utterly fail at blending in with the midwest America that surrounds them.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Wide-ranging, accurate view of the MK (missionary kid) world,
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This review is from: You Know You're an Mk When... (Spiral-bound)
The first item: "1. You can't answer the question, "Where are you from?"Wow! I read that first line, and was captured by this little book. I grew up in Zaire (now Congo, again...) and also spent time in several other countries along the way. My mother is an MK too. This book is 100% right on. I have always felt like a foreigner, no matter if I was in boarding school, back at the mission with my folks, or "home on furlough" to the States. The book is serious, but also hilariously funny. I have indeed watched nature programs and thought about what that animal/insect tasted like, and marveled at the selection of coffees in the grocery store, laughed at the names of compact cars (because I knew what they really meant), spoken at churches even though I am not a pastor, been exhibited at Sunday School, and my home does look like a museum of African art. It took me years to remember not to cross my 7's, and to throw away empty jars and tins. If you are an MK, please read this book. It will comfort you to know that your feelings of alienation and lonliness are shared with thousands of others - you really are not alone. It will also remind you of the fun times, whether you were a missionary kid in Africa, Asia, Central, or South America. If you are trying to get to know an MK (a feat if you can accomplish it, since we don't usually let people too close), you should also read this book. It will give you some insight into their world, which is so different from the one you grew up in.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Humourous, but not cheesy -- a rare find,
By Nathan Eady (Galion, Ohio, USA) - See all my reviews
This review is from: You Know You're an Mk When... (Spiral-bound)
Superb. You know those little books you pick up in the doctor's waiting room to pass the time? The ones with one funny witticism one each page, united by a general theme? This is better. The theme is more directed, yet at the same time the content is less redundant. And they're actually funny, yet at the same time there's a serious side inherent in the topic. Even if you don't know any MKs personally, you'll enjoy this one. A great addition to any personal library.
1 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
You know you've read a good book when...,
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This review is from: You Know You're an Mk When... (Spiral-bound)
Possibly the greatest set of words to ever be written down in this order. With the exception of the recipe for chocolate chip cookies, but that goes without saying.
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