The separate adult and children’s programmes give you the tools to not just survive – but thrive living overseas.

Each session draws on the expertise of Marion Knell (European Member Care Network), Yolanda Jerrard (New Tribes Mission, Global Connections TCK Forum), Janet Chapman (OMF International, Global Connections TCK Forum) and Rebecca (WEC, Global Connections TCK Forum).

For the adults:

Parents will be helped to understand the dynamics of bringing up children in another country, and the effects of cross-cultural living on family life. The session is led by Marion Knell and Yolanda Jerrard.

For the children:

Primary school-aged children will participate in a parallel pre-field orientation programme led by Janet Chapman and Rebecca,  where they will be able to explore their own feelings about the move and be given strategies to cope. 

Here is just some of the feedback we have had from recent courses:

"I just wanted to write and say how much we enjoyed the day on Saturday. The best thing to come out of it was that my 9-year old daughter said that she now didn't mind about the possibility of the move. She had been quietly apprehensive about it and the leaving of friends etc., but is now clearly not so worried about it as she had been."  

"Please pass on our thanks to the leaders of the children's programme for helping the children get a clearer picture of what they can expect in the next few weeks and months."

"Impressive, well researched, and a wealth of knowledge and experience. What a brilliant and helpful day."

"This has been the most helpful input we have yet had as we prepare to go overseas." 

Adults programme

Marion Knell leads the adult sessions. A trained teacher, she became involved in the care of missionary families while working for Arab World Ministries, and lectures on the subject at UK Bible Colleges and International Conferences. Marion is also involved with the European Member Care Network and works for a secular international relocation company as a youth and adult trainer. Marion has written two books for families in transition:  Families on the Move  and Burn-up or Splash Down - surviving the culture shock of re-entry. She also teaches on Redcliffe's MA in Member Care.  

Yolanda Jerrard works with NTM (New Tribes Mission). With her husband Stephen, she served as house parent for several years in West Africa and Papua New Guinea. Now based at NTM’s headquarters, their ministries involve serving missionaries through working in personnel, member care and MK/TCK care.

Children's programme

Janet Chapman has worked in Third Culture Kids ministry with OMF International since 1984, living in Malaysia, The Philippines, Singapore and now Preston. Her work has included teaching year 2, advising families, giving homeschool support, developing orientation material for children, debriefing TCKs, co-ordinating teams running TCK programmes at conferences and leading rekonnect, an annual re-entry camp for TCKs. In 2009 she qualified as a counsellor.  

Rebecca is an adult TCK, whose parents lived in Saudi Arabia. Rebecca is also a qualified teacher and mum of 3 children. She has taught in multi-cultural schools in London, and overseas in an International School in Indonesia. Rebecca and her husband were missionaries in Central Asia for 8 years and raised 3 children there. She currently works with WEC International, as their UKMK co-ordinator, she supports children and families as they prepare to serve overseas, during their overseas assignment and when they return. 

Course dates

Our Preparing Families for Life Overseas day is run periodically, subject to demand. If you would like to register your interest in this course, please fill out the form on this page.

Cost

The day costs £50 per adult and £25 per child aged between 5 and 11 years. 
A soup-and-sandwich lunch will be provided, but feel free to bring your own food to cater for any specific dietary requirements your family may have.