Boarding My Kids?

Years ago, when my kids were small, I thought it was so funny when people asked me when we were stateside, “What do you do with your kids?” As if going to Africa was not something we should subject our children to. Which, considering one of my kids was born in Africa and the rest have lived in Africa since they were babies, seemed like an odd mindset when thinking of MY children. I was always tempted to say, “Well, we got a good deal on a mid-sized storage unit with Central Air and Heat. We just make sure they have enough food and water for a few years. We get a good deal, since there are four of them.”

While I would never in a million years put my kids in a storage unit (though I may have been tempted at times!), our family has made the decision to send them to boarding school. There are certain schools of thought that this should be likened to some form of neglect or even abuse. Well, it’s not a military school or an internment center for troubled teens, it’s an international Christian school for missionaries’ children. Those of us who serve in remote locations among unreached peoples face difficult challenges in the raising and educating of our children. As for our family, we were called to West Africa when we already had one child and were pretty sure that more would follow. Part of God’s promise to us as we followed Him in obedience was that He had our children safely in His care.

Now, we have certainly faced more than our share of hardships and our children have, unfortunately, had to weather those storms with us. There have been times when I’ve cried out to God and tried to remind Him of His promise, and He’s gently shown me how, even in those times, He has graciously provided and protected them. I’ve claimed Philippians 1:6 for my children, “being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.” I know that all of these things are part of God’s work in my children’s lives and that their faith is unique, just like every other child of God.

Yesterday, my husband and I moved our two younger children into boarding school. For the months and weeks ahead of this, I was suffering from occasional “pre-grief” (I made up that word, but there’s probably an official term for it), as I anticipated the sadness, loneliness, emptiness, etc. I would feel when they were gone. I asked brothers and sisters to pray for us as our family prepared for this transition. There were also thoughtful friends that sent encouraging messages yesterday and the day before to say that they would be praying for us throughout the day. And, you know what? God was faithful. The only tears that welled up in my eyes was during the welcome assembly when the director said that part of their theme of the school year was praying for the students, faculty and staff to hunger and thirst for God and His Word. Guess what I have prayed for my kids since they were babies? It was God’s little nod and wink to me, that yes, His work is continuing with my kids, even in this chapter of their lives.

Folks may wonder why we feel it is necessary to put our kids in boarding school. Lots of folks homeschool their kids through high school, why can’t we? Well, that is true, but most of those folks also have homeschool coops, church youth groups, baseball and soccer leagues, clubs, play groups, etc. And their kids have the benefit of Sunday School, worship services, small and large group Bible studies, etc. Our kids have none of those things where we live. There are also no other English-speaking families in our region, let alone Christian English-speaking families with teenage kids. It’s hard for people in the US to imagine what that’s like, but if you remove all of those opportunities for socialization, Christian fellowship and Bible-teaching, imagine what it would be like for your teenage children? There are some kids (and parents) that can do it, but I can tell you, we just spent my daughter’s freshman year of high school where she did all of her classes on-line and it was pretty rough. By the time we reached the halfway point of the school year, we began discussing and praying together as a family the possibility of this Christian boarding school. God clearly confirmed to all of us in multiple ways that this was the right choice, not just for her, but for both her and her younger brother.

I am thankful for God’s provision for our children. Yes, it’s a sacrifice for me, having my teenage children in boarding school. But, believe me, it is worth it. I look forward to seeing how God continues His work in my kids, and in me, as we navigate this change in our situation and relationship. Because, no matter where they are, or I am, He’s got us safely in His care.