Missionary Kids’ Diaries

The following accounts are written by children from missionary families, each describing their own experience growing up in the mission field.—Editors.

Julián’s Story

Hello. My name is Julián, and I am a missionary kid. 

I was born in Eldoret, Kenya. My parents, Dr. Valentin Omonte and Dr. Susana Tito, are dentists. They moved from La Paz, Bolivia, to Kenya in 2009 as volunteer missionaries at the University of Eastern Africa, Baraton. At first they planned to serve for only one year, but that one year has now turned into 16 years outside of Bolivia.

I was born in 2011 alongside my twin sister, Jael. I do not remember much about my early years in Kenya; only a few unclear memories of living on the university campus in Baraton.

In 2014 everything changed. My parents were called to serve in Kigali, Rwanda, at the Kigali Adventist Dental Clinic. My father became the director, and my mother continued working as a dentist. This is where my real childhood memories began.

I studied at Green Hills Academy International School during my primary years. During those years I found interest in Legos, origami, science, and interstellar space. I made good friends, but it was not always easy. Many of my friends moved away because their families were also from different countries and always had to move. It felt as though I could not keep friends for long. That changed when I met Meng and Ryan.

Meng is from China, and he did not believe in God. Ryan is Brazilian and a Christian (Jehovah’s Witness). Even though neither of them was Adventist, they became my best friends.

One day they saw me praying. I usually tried to pray quietly because I was in a non-Adventist school, but this time they noticed. Meng asked me what I was doing.

I told him I was just praying to God and asking Him for help.

Meng laughed a little. Since he was my friend, I did not take it too seriously. I tried to explain, but he was unsure about believing in God.

My parents also helped start a Pathfinder and Adventurer club at the Adventist University of Central Africa church. We would meet every Saturday afternoon—and sometimes on Sundays for sports—to learn about God through nature and activities. I made many close friends during my time as an Adventurer and now as a Pathfinder. The club kept growing every year, and this year we are celebrating 10 years since it started.

One day I invited Meng and Ryan to join the club. After speaking with their parents, they agreed to come. They felt very welcome, and we shared many special moments together that I will never forget.

Then something happened that changed how I understood being a missionary kid.

I realized that even in small ways, I can share God’s love with others.

One day at Green Hills I saw Meng sitting quietly with his head down. I asked him what he was doing, but at first he did not want to answer. Later he told me he was praying, just to try.

My friend who did not believe in God was praying.

This touched my heart deeply. I was so excited to tell my parents. From that moment I began to understand what it means to be a missionary kid. I realized that even in small ways, I can share God’s love with others. I pray that one day Meng will be baptized.

Right now I am studying at Maxwell Adventist Academy in Kenya. I feel as though I have returned to where I started. Even though the culture is different from that in Rwanda, I feel comfortable. There are challenges, but I believe that God is always in control.

I miss my parents, who are still serving in Rwanda at the Adventist Dental Clinic in Kigali. 

In the future I want to be a missionary like my parents. I want to help in clubs, children’s ministries, and maybe be a director or a doctor, just like them. Their example inspires me to serve God wherever I go. I am also very thankful for my twin sister, Jael. She helps me with my studies and encourages me to keep going.

May God bless all missionary kids around the world. May we be a light to other children who need Jesus in their lives.

Tereza’s Story

I have visited many countries, such as Belgium, the United States, Egypt, and my own country, Ukraine. It’s fun to go from country to country, but it’s sad to leave your own home. The place you live in can be small or big, but it is always interesting.

It’s interesting to learn new things, learn new languages, and go to new schools. You can see many new things when you go from country to country, such as new flowers, trees, and people. It’s fun to explore new places, see new animals, even play new games. It’s also sad to leave your own animals and things. Some things you don’t really need, but some you do, like family.

Jael’s Story

Growing up in a missionary family isn’t always how people imagine it to be.

My name is Jael Omonte, and I am from Bolivia. I was born in Kenya, but I have lived most of my life in Rwanda. Because of this, I live far from what many people would call “home,” but over time I have learned how to cope and adapt to different environments.

Being from Bolivia, a country in South America, but growing up mostly in Rwanda has made me realize how little I sometimes know about my own origins. It feels strange to say where I am from, because I don’t fully feel connected to just one place. When people ask me where home is, I don’t always know how to answer. Is it where I was born, where my family is from, or where I have lived the longest? This is something I am still trying to understand. 

I believe that home is not just one place, but a combination of all the places, people, and experiences that have made me who I am today.

As a missionary kid, life is often about giving, just as Jesus did. Jesus is a role model for me because He teaches me how to serve others and to give more than I receive. This is not always easy, especially when I feel as though I am sacrificing things that other kids my age get to have. Sometimes it can feel challenging, but at the same time, it helps me grow and become more understanding of other people’s needs.

Another big part of my life is learning new cultures. Moving to and living in different places have allowed me to experience ways of life that many people may never get the chance to see. I have learned different traditions, ways of speaking, and ways people interact with each other. Sometimes I feel like I know more about other cultures than my own, which can feel a bit strange. But it also makes me happy, because I can connect with people from different backgrounds and understand them better.

Even though there are many good things about this life, it is not always easy. At times I feel as though I don’t fully belong anywhere. Even though Rwanda feels like home because I have lived there most of my life, there are still moments I miss my own culture. I wish I could reconnect with it more and understand it better, instead of knowing only a little about it.

There are also times I feel as if I am not in the right place. The people around me may think differently, have different beliefs, and see the world in ways that are not the same as what I am used to. This can make me feel different or even a little lost at times. It is not always easy trying to fit in while also holding on to who you are.

At the same time, being a missionary kid has taught me important lessons. It has taught me how to be flexible, how to understand others, and how to see the world from different perspectives. I have learned that not everyone lives the same way, and that is OK. In fact, it is something I have come to appreciate.

I also remember moments I had to step out of my comfort zone to meet new people or adjust to a new environment, for example. At first it can feel uncomfortable and even a bit scary, but over time it becomes easier. These experiences have helped me become stronger and more confident in myself.

Even though I don’t know as much as I would like about my home country, I still feel proud of where I come from. At the same time, I am grateful for the life I have as a missionary kid. It has given me opportunities to learn, grow, and experience things that many people may never experience.

In the end, being a missionary kid is not always easy, but it is meaningful. It has shaped who I am and continues to shape who I am becoming. I am still learning, still growing, and still discovering what “home” really means to me. For now, I believe that home is not just one place, but a combination of all the places, people, and experiences that have made me who I am today.