My name is Avalon Luse and this is some basic information about me. I grew up as a missionary kid(MK) overseas in a country called Papua New Guinea, which is just north of Australia. My parents still serve as missionaries in Papua New Guinea and I have three amazing younger sisters. Now I would love to tell you about my testimony and where the Lord has called me.
Growing up, my parents did a really good job of continually telling me about God, who He was, and mankind’s relationship with Him. I learned about God’s goodness, my sin, and the consequences of my sin. Ever since I could remember, I knew that God had sent His son Jesus to die on the cross for the sin of mankind, and that trusting in Jesus’ death and resurrection was the only way that someone could be saved. One day when I was young, while I was in the car with my parents I asked them questions about the Gospel, confirming in my mind what I already knew. I then trusted and believed that my sins were forgiven through Jesus’ death and resurrection and not through anything I could do. After I was saved, I continued to grow spiritually and physically.
There were many things I wanted to be as I grew up. A ballerina, a veterinarian, an artist, but ironically never a missionary. The Lord continued to grow me and guide me in my walk with Him as I continued to learn about Him from my parents and His Word. Through that, He gave me very clear directions on not becoming a few of my dreams. I found out I am allergic to cats, dogs, and horses, which is not ideal for someone who wants to work with animals. I discovered that while I love arts and crafts, being an artist for a living was not within my skill set. Meanwhile, all around me I saw the impact of the gospel on those who had not yet heard as my parents ministered in the tribal location and planted a church. My parents learned the language, made Bible lessons, taught through the whole of Scripture, and discipled believers. This ministry of planting a church took years to develop and I saw the impact. People went from fear and darkness to joy. I felt the Lord begin to lay on my heart the calling of being involved in bringing the Good News to those who have not heard.
From the time I was ten years old, until I was twelve, the Lord laid missions on my heart through scripture, songs, and testimonies that other believers shared. In the church that my parents planted, I heard the believers have a passion for others to hear the Gospel and their testimonies of how their lives had been changed because of the Gospel. In the beginning of 1 Thessalonians 2, Paul talked to the believers in the church he had planted. He encouraged them in the fact that the trials he had experienced to bring them the Gospel was worth it and how he had cared for them and shared the Gospel with them. Then in verse 11 to 12 he says “For you know how, like a father with his children, we exhorted each of you and encouraged you and charged you to walk in a manner worthy of God, who calls you into his own kingdom and glory.” I was convicted and convinced to live a life that brought glory to the name of the Lord and encouraged others to do the same. I knew the Lord had laid it on my heart to be a missionary.
Years passed as this continued to be the direction I knew the Lord had guided me in. I went to a boarding school in my high school years and was able to interact with other missionaries and missionary kids. I learned about the need to care for people on the field as life can be difficult. My desire to care for others grew and I wrestled with how this desire worked with my desire for missions. I trusted that the Lord had placed both desires on my heart and continued to walk forward in faith.
I graduated high school and came back to the US where I was able to attend a missionary kid retreat that talked with MK’s (or missionary kids) about their unique experience, life in the US compared to that, and some tips on how to transition well. A quick story on transitions, when I was twelve my family was back in the US for home assignment/furlough. During that time I got to visit my grandparents quite often and I enjoyed playing at their house. One day I was hungry and I wanted a snack and so I went and asked my grandmother for one. She said, “Of course.” and asked me what I wanted. I had seen a banana on the counter and that seemed like a good snack, so I asked if I could have it. The problem was, I had forgotten what the English word for banana was! I tried to communicate what I wanted to my grandmother and she tried to understand. I got teary as I was ashamed and embarrassed that I had forgotten the English word for banana, I was American after all. Eventually my grandmother was able to figure out what I was asking for and exclaimed, “Oh! A banana.” I eagerly nodded and repeated the word banana to myself. This is just one the stories I have of cultural blunders I have made. Thankfully it was with my grandmother who was kind and helped me, unfortunately other times I have made blunders they were not met with such understanding. Small blunders like this tend to build up to make missionary kids seem strange to those around them so transitions courses help MKs realize what is considered normal in the American culture so that they can adapt well.
After my transitions course that helped me to adapt, I continued life in the US, going to Bible School and continuing to pray and wrestle with what the Lord might have for me. At Bible School there were other MKs who were also adapting to life in the US, some struggling more than others. I attended several other events for MKs and my heart for caring for people became more specific for MKs. You see, missionary kids have a unique experience and the way they adapt or struggle can either have a positive or negative impact on their parents ministry. The reality is if MKs do not adapt well, they can ultimately hinder or even halt their parent’s ministry in reaching people with the Gospel. Unfortunately, I have known serval missionary kids who have walked away from the Lord due to struggling with transitions into new cultures and not having someone to help them through the necessary adjustments. Parents want to help their children, but often do not have the resources to know how to do that well.
“…missionary kids have a unique experience and the way they adapt or struggle can either have a positive or negative impact on their parents ministry. The reality is if MKs do not adapt well, they can ultimately hinder or even halt their parent’s ministry in reaching people with the Gospel.”
~Avalon Luse
I took a year after Bible School to pray about where the Lord was leading me, spend time with my family, and work. The Lord continued to point me towards missions, so I went to the Ethnos360Training Center to continue pursuing the Lord’s direction for my life. Throughout my time in training, the Lord solidified my desire to care for missionary kids and their families so that the ministry and health of the family could continue in a positive direction. And so, with this desire I have joined what is called MK Care with Ethnos360. This is a missionary ministry that serves missionary kids and their families so that they can continue their ministry with the ultimate goal of planting churches and sharing the Gospel. My desire in life continues to be living a life that glorifies the Lord and encourages others to do the same. I hope that my testimony has encouraged you in some way and I would love to connect with you if you want to hear more stories, have any questions, or would like to be involved in my ministry.