Have a Plan!

“Begin with the end in mind.”  This popular saying encourages us to work backwards from our desired outcome in order to see it come to pass.

When missionaries think about the education of children, this axiom is also very helpful.  Missionaries do a lot of living in the future, and a lot of planning. We need to have a plan for our children’s education. Educational planning should be a family effort.  Both parents should be involved in researching and determining what is best for their children and their future.

When our children are young, there is not the sense of urgency.  When they reach middle school and beyond, we realize we don’t have that many years left until they will be moving on to the next phase of life. You want to make sure they are ready for whatever God leads them to pursue.

How can you best help your children to be ready for the future?

First, make a plan. Put it in writing.  Start when they are young.  Have a plan for each child.  Where will you be living?  What you are doing for their schooling?  What are some obstacles to reaching those goals? Where would you like your child to end up?  Attending college, if they so desire?  Then have a plan that will make that possible for them.

Think about your child and their personality.  What schooling options will work best for them?

What schooling options are available in your field of service?  What is best for your children, and what can you afford?

Realize there are more options than ever before.  Home education does not have to be a solitary pursuit. There are online schools, and co-ops and collectives where you can have the best of both worlds.

Think about where you might be during the crucial years of your child’s education. When you have more than one child, you will have to make compromises.  They may not be able to be where they want to be for every single year of high school.

Think ahead to what testing is needed stateside. Does your child need to take the ACT or SAT while you are on furlough, or do you have a place to take it on your field?

Make a plan, and then use that plan to prepare, so you are ready to help your child(ren) maximize their educational opportunities whether on the field or back in the states. Use the internet to research schooling options.  Try and contact other missionaries on your field who may have children, and find out what they are doing for educating their children, and to ask advice about various schooling options.

Through all of these steps, pray.  Pray for God to give you wisdom and spiritual understanding when it comes to your child’s education.  Education is a very important part of your child’s life, and will have a major impact on them and on your family. (Not to put any pressure J )

Think positively.  Don’t let fear overwhelm you, which can happen easily. Philippians 4:6-8 are great verses to pray when our minds become overwhelmed with all the “what ifs” and “if onlys” of worry.

During times of transition, use obstacles to encourage your children to see the new opportunities God may have for them, when they may be struggling with leaving a familiar school.

We live in exciting times, with abundant information available to help us to provide the best education possible for our children.  So do your best and plan, prepare, pray, and think positively, leaving the outcome in God’s hands.