Ruth Van Reken

Christine interviews Ruth Van Reken, member care expert and world-renowned author of bestseller 'Third Culture Kids'. Learn more about Cross-Cultural Kid here.   Ruth discusses her childhood as a TCK - 'Third Culture Kid' and how she did not come to terms with the impact on her life until adulthood. At the age of thirty-nine, she began journaling, trying to understand the full impact of my childhood. Eventually, this journaling became 'Letters I Never Wrote', later re-published as Letters Never Sent. Through that, she not only looked at her story but met and interacted with countless TCKs and adult TCKs (ATCKs) of all backgrounds and nationalities as well.  Ruth had a desire to be a missionary, which did not go completely as she would have planned it, but throughout a variety of trials, she has learnt much about trusting God and overcoming the difficulties of her upbringing. She is amazed to find just how far-reaching her work has been - not just to expats and refugees, but even children of cross-cultural marriages!  This fascinating, honest and encouraging interview is a worthwhile watch for anybody with involvement in cross-cultural work. Check our sister podcast - FieldPartner Foundations This interview can also be watched as a video here.