Missionary kids deal with culture shock In addition to the normal pressures associated with adjusting to college life, students who grew up on the mission field had to cope with the stress of adjusting to a new culture or re-adjusting to an old one fromwhich they had been absent for years. Junior nursing major Jana Hendrix lived in Lyon, France, before coming to Harding. She found out quickly that she had much to learn about the youth and culture of America. Hendrix had been in the States with her parents on furlough, but she always felt that France and the mission field were her home. "I feel privileged to have grown up in two different cultures, but I really miss France," Hendrix said. "At first, things were overwhelming. I was overcome by devotionals and services. At times, I felt that it was easier to see God back home." She had the most difficulty getting used to her classes. "Having grown up in France and done school work in French all my life, I had to get used to doingmyhomework and taking tests in English," Hendrix said. After graduation, she would like to go to a French-speaking part of Africa as a medical missionary. "I feel that, in a Third World country, I would be most useful in using my major. Besides, I would already know the language," she said. Junior Anna Jones also lived in France for 11 years. Although she and her family have lived in Alabama the past five years, she said she still misses France. "I miss Tae Paden, Zane Perkins and Marshall Brown visit about their experiences as 'missionary kids' after a Spanish devotional. Fellowship with other students from similar backgrounds helped ease the transition from the mission field to college. Photo by Aaron Gillihan. everything- the atmosphere, the coffee shops, the people and the slow-paced lifestyle,'' she said. Jones' dream is to return to France, primarily for missions . "I really miss the mission field . Mark 16 says to go preach the gospel, and that is all I know to do." Jones attributed much of her decision to become a missionary to her father. "I am so proud to say that my dad was a missionary. He is absolutely great for putting his faith out in front ofour family," she said. Although Jones grew up in France, she never thought about going to college anywhere but Harding. "My whole family went to Harding - my mom, my dad, my grandparents. For me, Harding equaled college and college equaled Harding." Junior Martha Allison lived in Kenya, Africa, for 17 years. Attending a boarding school for missionary kids during high school helped make the transition to Harding smoother. "Going to a boarding school really helped me learn about the American lifestyle and thinking," she said. "We had deadlines and homework just like everyone here does. It definitely prepared me for the fast-paced lifestyle that the Americans lead." Being at Harding with other children ofmissionaries gave them the opportunity to learn from each other, lean on each other when reverse culture shock was too much, and gain a new perspective on life in other countries. Other students who hadnevereven traveled outside the United States could also learn from the missionary kids that anywhere God leads them is home. - Rebecca West James Wiser - Athens , Ala. Abbi Withouse - Rolla , Mo. Lucy Wonders - Longview, Texas Jaime Wood - Clovis, N.M. Kristi Woodward - Berwyn, Penn. Megan Wooldridge - Chillicothe, Ohio Heather Worthy - Walnut Creek, Calif. Calvin Wright - Augusta, Ark. Mack Wright - Marietta, Ga. Betsy Wyatt - St. Louis, Mo. Randy Wylie - Searcy, Ark. Takako Yagai - Ibaraki , Japan Steve Young - Marion, Ohio Willie Young - Memphis, Tenn. Jose Yunez - Puebla, Mexico J. Zdunek - Albuquerque, N.M. Erin Zedlitz - Georgetown, Texas Terry Zikes - Temple, Texas Freshmen 123
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