by Carol Mason
MKs contribute in varying degrees to missions, but all are a valuable part of their parents’ ministries. Ernie and Carol Mason (Córdoba, Argentina) are proud of the way their sons, Eric and John, willingly pitched in to see their church grow.
When I was single, the Lord called me to teach MKs in a dorm setting. There I learned that how an MK “turns out” depends on two important factors: their own personality and their family’s involvement. I saw MKs flourish and I saw them fail.
As a result, when my husband, Ernie, and I were married and planning on missions, our future family needs were a great concern to me. We started deputation when our boys were seven (Eric) and five (John). In our travels, we made sure to make the boys feel a part of our ministry. We were grateful for the many churches who were lovingly concerned for our boys.
Our presentation included the whole family. At first, John was doing gymnastics, so when we were in a children’s group he presented his gymnastic “moves” while I drew a spiritual application. For example, he had a move called “the bridge,” and we talked about how Jesus is our bridge to God. The children loved it! Then, as John grew older, his love for puppetry revealed a talent for ventriloquism. Both children and adults loved his skits with his dummy, “Scotty.”
Eric always had a love for music, so at age seven, he started playing piano specials. Then, at nine, he became a violinist. He played everywhere we went! If the church had an orchestra, he just joined in. I believe many churches took us on because of our boys!
When we arrived in Argentina, the boys were our first contact with neighbors. They went out in the neighborhood and made friends. Even without knowing the language, they could play together and invite the others into our home. John’s gift is to make friends easily, while Eric’s gift was to study, so he made friends of his schoolteachers.
The ministry here in Córdoba was started in our home with a Children’s Bible Club—mostly of our boys’ friends and neighbors. Since we met at first in our dining room, the boys always helped in sweeping the floors and setting up the chairs. John helped greatly with cleaning, preparing, and working on any equipment. His gift was inviting people. As a teen, he invited Mario and Vero to a youth event, and both were saved. They were later the first to marry in our new building. John also helped out with construction when we made the garage bigger to hold our meetings.
Eric is more of a student, so as a teen he helped us in teaching some Bible studies and even had opportunity to preach. He used his music abilities in many ways too. Both boys freely gave out Chick tracts in their public schools and even to their teachers. Eric would pass them out frequently on his way to school on the city bus.
John was born with a sunken chest. When he was a teen it became a serious medical hindrance, and we discovered a new surgery that could help him. That is a whole other story in itself! In the process of seeking out information, we became acquainted with Dr. Marcelo Ferro in Buenos Aires. Through these contacts and the help of a pastor friend where the doctor lives, the doctor is now saved and reaching others in the higher class of Argentina. Our new missionary coworkers, Andrew and Romina Self, will be working right in this doctor’s neighborhood with him!
Eric has gone on to Piedmont Baptist College and done his internship with Andrew’s father, Ron Self (EBM), in Buenos Aires, since we were on furlough at the time. But Eric also covered six weeks of our furlough time in Córdoba. He discipled our leaders, led the services and music, preached and taught Bible studies and youth, and took part in our annual Children’s Day outreach. He has graduated now from the missions program and is not sure what direction to take. He has many talents, and we are trusting the Lord to lead him.
John has returned to Argentina. He has adapted so well that even though he came at only 11 years old, he seems as though he is a born Argentine! He fits the culture here. He also has many talents and is trying out many opportunities in the job market. We are trusting the Lord to lead him also.
Both our boys have always been involved in all aspects of the ministry, and we appreciate their faithfulness through the years. There are many people now sure of heaven because of our boys!
There have been times of rebellion, doubts, confusion, temptation, and failure, just like any “normal kids,” but we have watched our boys grow. They have enjoyed the benefits of being MKs. We have tried to develop the attitude of being a “blessed MK,” grateful for the special opportunities and experiences that others do not have. They have traveled to the important sights of both the U.S. and Argentina. They speak two languages fluently. They understand people of other cultures. They know what God can do in lives.
As MKs, they need lots of prayer. People criticize them more, thinking they should be “perfect.” MKs see through people, see the hypocrisy and disappointment in people. Often they struggle. Yet the same God who moves in our ministry can move to lead them in their future decisions. Pray for your MKs, get to know them—they have great potential!