Staying Connected In Missions
By: Mark Hattabaugh

Ok, so you’re an MK. I know - I used to get called “Monkey Kid” also. But they were just the poor ones who do not realize how great of a
privilege it was to actually be an MK – maybe it was pure jealousy!

I realize there are many types of MKs. There are those who were born on the field; others were taken at a young age (like me and my brothers); others were taken as teens. And then there are those who may not even get the chance to live on the field but have had their
parents go after they moved out.

Either way, once an MK, always an MK!! It’s become like a motto or mission statement for us.

But, what about the missions call? (No, not the long distance calls back to the USA, where everyone gathered around the phone and we passed the handset around to talk to grandmas and grandpas.) Was God mistaken when he called mom and dad into the “Missions Calling?” What was He thinking by not asking me for my opinion on the matter? He should have at least sent Gabriel with the message. Why not let me in on the big secret?

Well, like you, I never got the “phone call” either – nor the angel appearance. But, something happened to me while I was there– I was “exposed” to ministry and to the souls of the country where we were. Did you know you get a burden the same way you get measles? By
being “exposed!”

I began to be a “part” of the missions experience and the calling of my parents, not just a KID of the missionary. From those experiences,
I learned a whole lot about ministry, dealing with people, praying for people, starting churches, preaching, teaching, encouraging saints, saving sinners, and playing all kinds of instruments. (Believe it or not – I can even play the accordion!)

I know many are just waiting and counting the days to when they can “get back to USA,” while others of us were more at home overseas
than here. I actually went back on an AIM assignment and then went on another one to a different continent.

So, first, if you are still on the mission field with your parents, why not “join their mission” and work beside them in their burden and calling? You’ll see how fulfilling it is and why your parents love it so much! There is nothing like being involved in God’s Kingdom business.

Secondly, if you are living back in the good old USA, (I know most of us cannot call it “home”), HOW DO YOU STAY CONNECTED WITH THE MISSIONS BURDEN AND WITH THE FIELD? Are there still ways we can assist in missions? Are there still opportunities to use the talents, abilities, connections, and experiences here, state-side? Or are we supposed to just drop it all, like a hot “tamale?”

The answer is NO!

There are so many ways for you to still stay plugged in to your Missions experience. I’m sure you can come up with at least one of your
own reasons, but let me name a few.

• Become involved in the missions program at your local church.
• Have your youth group “adopt” an MK.
• Help with your church’s Missions Conference.
• Communicate online with other MKs that are still on the field.
• Join us with MK Ministries in helping with writing, encouraging, etc.
• Join a Youth On Missions trip going to another country or continent you may never have visited before, and expand your knowledge of other cultures and experience on other missions fields. I take these trips every year, and it’s so awesome to be a part of other cultures and realize the great revival world-wide. (see www.youthonmissions.com for more info)
• If you are in college, join their international clubs (or start one), and become connected with the foreign student body. You’ll be shocked at how easily they will accept the first religion they are exposed to in college!
• If you are not in college but have a college nearby, start a missionary outreach that will reach into the campuses for those students
from overseas.
• Get together with other MKs for the holidays.
• Go on the AIM program for short-term missions assignments.

This is just a start of things YOU – as an experienced MK – can get involved with.

Come to think of it, your parents probably were not visited by the angel Gabriel either, nor did they get a phone call from heaven when they received their “Missions Calling.” It may have come more along the lines of a BURDEN that later turned into a “calling.” So, why not pick up the burden, the passion, the love for lost souls again? Renew that commitment to the commission and join forces with the army of MKs all over the world who are so privileged to be a part of the “special forces” unit of heaven.

We have a number of ways that you can be involved with MK Ministries. Here are some opportunities:

• Contribute to MK Publications (CULTUREshock & Passport Kids)
  
• Teaching or helping with Mk events such as fellowships, retreats
  
• Organizing and contacting MK's personally with calls, emails, cards/letters, and personal times of fellowship
  
• Become an MK Caregiver (see MK Caregiver Section)
  
• Become a Pen pal- Send in your information and then we will pair you with someone.
• Become a MK Prayer Pal (Kids Prayer)
  

Financial Opportunities are also available. We are a support funded ministry. With our MKs being spread across the world, reaching out to them takes a full-time staff member (and numerous volunteers) and a strong financial support base. Here are some financial opportunities that allow you to partner with MK Ministries:

• Become a Monthly Partner In Missions
  
• Support by personally sponsoring an MK for a special event (MKs need to fellowship with other youth, and this is often not possible without financial help. These are the events that recharge them spiritually and help to ground them in their faith.)
  o Youth Congress
  o District Youth Camps and functions
  o General Conference
  o MK Retreats (International/Regional Retreats and the biannual US Retreat in Carlinville, IL)
  
• Donate a used car for a returning MK
  
• Donate Frequent Flyer Mileage for returning students
  

Again, we need your help. The opportunities for this ministry are limitless. We have hundreds of MKs who need us, and they need YOU. If something on this page fits you, please contact info@upwithmks.com for more information.