We have a friend named Ashley Ross. She lives in the Czech Republic. She is also serving with Josiah Venture, and her title is Third Culture Kid Coordinator. "TCK" is the latest name for an MK (missionary kid). So, Ashley is a missionary sent here for the purpose of ministering to our kids, and all of the kids of JV families. Part of her role is to plan and implement JV Kids' Camp each summer, which we blogged about after camp happened in August. Another part of her role is to travel to JV families' homes in the different Eastern European locations in order to visit the families, and specifically to minister to the kids. Ashley is a "TCK" herself, having grown up on the mission field in Peru. Her passion is to help our kids adjust to life away from their first culture (home in America), to be there for them as a friend and a listener. She is a huge encouragement to us as parents, for sure, as she helps us know what our kids need in order to flourish in this foreign environment.
So, Ashley came to our house right before Christmas, and we loved every minute of her being here! She got right in with the kids, playing soccer in the foyer, painting fingernails, reading to them, playing hours of Sorry and Dominoes, braving a fun game of Sardines throughout the house, and even taking home with her our flu germs that came upon us during her visit...SORRY ASHLEY!!! We are quite blessed to have this special member within our mission organization...thank you,
Josiah Venture, for caring for our kids in this way, for making their care a vital priority for maintaining healthy families doing ministry together! And thank you, dear Ashley, for putting your heart into your role with JV, for loving our kids, and for caring about how they are surviving and flourishing here, so far from what they know back home. Our kids are already asking when you're coming back!!! Too bad we have to share you with all of the other JV families. :-)
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