Being a third culture kid (TCK) in Southeast Asia can be challenging—particularly when it comes to learning the local language. It was a struggle for me, and sometimes I fought the process. Then I started meeting with our language nurturer Kru Siriwan. No matter how frustrated I got, she patiently taught me the local dialect and invited me into her home and her life.

More than a year ago, Kru Siriwan’s health began deteriorating until she had to use a wheelchair and rarely left her house. My family and I didn’t get to see her often, so we were excited when she asked us to join her at a Muslim food festival. As the oldest boy, I got to push her wheelchair from booth to booth, talking with her the whole time.

“I haven’t laughed or smiled like this in so long,” Kru Siriwan told us. “I’m so glad you came with me.”

Little did I know that would be the last time I saw Kru Siriwan.

A few days after the festival, Kru Siriwan sent my mom a text message. She had gotten sick, fallen, and been admitted to the hospital. A few days later, Kru Siriwan’s sister called my mom to tell us that she had passed away.

I was devastated. I had no idea how to respond to this terrible news. I didn’t cry, but as soon as I heard about her death, I felt like something was missing.

My family and I went to mourn with Kru Siriwan’s loved ones at their home. All her sisters were crying and sobbing, and my mom was too. My heart broke for them. All I could think about were the pictures and videos we took during language class with Kru Siriwan and the joy of celebrating Christmas with her two years earlier. She looked so full of life then, but she had left us so quickly.

A week after her funeral, my family received a special gift, a giant, life-size teddy bear, from Kru Siriwan as her final dying wish. It was one of her most treasured possessions. When I found out my little sister named it after Kru Siriwan, I couldn’t stop crying.

The worst thing is that I won’t be able to see Kru Siriwan in heaven. We were able to share some of our testimony with the simple vocabulary we had, but we never had the chance to invite her to follow Jesus. The pain of that realization hit me hard.

Despite this loss, my faith has been strengthened. I know death is not the end, and through this experience, God showed me why we need to be on the field sharing His word. Only God can save people, but we need to be here sharing the Good News with them.

Looking forward, I have so many opportunities to talk about Jesus with new people I meet. Our lives are so short compared to eternity, and I don’t want to miss a single opportunity.

Pray:

• Ask God to comfort field families in seasons of loss.
• Pray that TCKs will have a lifelong passion for reaching the lost.
• Ask that the Lord will send more workers to places where many die without the opportunity to hear the truth about Jesus.

**This account comes from a long-term worker. Names and places have been changed for security.**

Main photo on iStock