Leaving Well: How Can Missionary Kids Navigate Moving Countries?
Leaving one country for another is never simple for families in global missions, and for children, the process can feel especially overwhelming. Missionary kids often face the challenge of saying goodbye not only to friends and neighbors, but to the only home they may clearly remember.
Whether it’s leaving the United States for global ministry or returning from overseas, every transition for missionary families presents an opportunity to lean on God’s faithfulness and to help children navigate goodbyes with grace and peace.
Helping missionary kids leave well isn’t just about easing the difficulties of transition—it’s about equipping them with healthy ways to honor their experiences, treasure their memories, and step into the next season with hope. When missionary parents guide their children through this process with care and intentionality, goodbyes can become a meaningful part of the journey rather than just a painful ending.
John and Madilyn are a mission family serving in West Africa with SIM USA, focused on sharing the gospel with those who have never heard it before. Having served in both East and West Africa, they understand the challenges that come with moving from one country to another.
“In order to arrive well, you have to leave well,” Madilyn said.
When it came time to step away from West Africa for a season of home assignment in the United States, they were intentional about guiding their children through the transition with care.
“The Lord will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore.” Psalm 121:8
Helping Missionary Kids Leave Well: The Power of “Good Goodbyes”
As they prepared to leave West Africa, John and Madilyn had meaningful conversations with their children. They talked about what it means to leave well, emphasizing the importance of saying goodbye to friends who had been such a significant part of their lives. They called this “saying good goodbyes.”
“Good goodbyes allow for good hellos,” Madilyn told them. “This is hard, but we have good things to look forward to.”
She reassured them that their time in West Africa wasn’t finished—they would return after home assignment. But she also explained that when that time came, they would need to say “good goodbyes” to the United States so they could once again say “good hellos” to West Africa.
With this in mind, Madilyn emphasized the importance of always leaving well, whether returning to or departing from their home country.
She explained how easy it is to overlook “saying good goodbyes” in the busyness of preparing to leave. You can get so focused on the tasks and checklists that you miss the deeper work of preparing your heart—grieving what you’re leaving behind, beginning to let go, and making space to reattach when you arrive in a new place.
“Maybe you’re lamenting and mourning what you’re leaving, even though you’re excited to obey God, and you’re excited to be somewhere new. If you don’t take the time to process that before you move, you will be tied back [to your previous country] emotionally and mentally,” Madilyn explained.
For John and Madilyn, helping their children say “good goodbyes” wasn’t just about this one transition. Instead, it was about teaching them a lifelong rhythm of leaving well through making space for grief, gratitude, and hope.
“There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens: a time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to uproot.” Ecclesiastes 3:1-2
Preparing Missionary Kids for Transition: Lexi’s Farewell Drive
Before leaving West Africa, John and Madilyn drove their daughter, Lexi, around town to say goodbye to her favorite places.
“Bye, school building!” she called out as they passed her school. At each special spot, Lexi had the chance to say her goodbyes and remember the moments that made the town feel like home.
As they drove, John and Madilyn encouraged Lexi to share her memories at each stop. They asked her what made each place special and what she had enjoyed most there.
“Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.” James 1:17
“We did that all over town. I pray and hope it helped her,” John said. “It was good for me. I enjoyed the drive around town and saying goodbye to different places.”
The familiar sights and stories they shared allowed the missionary family to close this chapter intentionally, honoring the town and their lives there before stepping into the next season. The drive gave them a moment to pause and reflect on their time in the community.
It was not just about physically visiting each location, but about acknowledging the experiences, friendships, and memories that had made the town feel like home. By doing this, they were able to leave well, carrying gratitude for the past while stepping forward with hope into the next season.
Step Into Global Ministry: Opportunities for Missionary Families with SIM USA
Transitioning from one country to another brings many challenges, but parents don’t have to face them alone. At SIM USA, we walk alongside missionary families every step of the way—from preparing to leave the United States to returning home—offering support, guidance, and encouragement through every season of ministry. With SIM USA, families in global mission have a trusted partner in ensuring that every transition is a step forward in hope, growth, and faith.
SIM USA has a heart for helping missionary kids thrive. Dedicated SIM USA staff focus specifically on the needs of these children, equipping them to process emotions, adapt to new cultures, and navigate the unique challenges of life for third culture kids.
Are you interested in cross-cultural ministry? There is a place for you and your family with us.
Learn more about partnering with SIM USA and explore life in global mission here!
“Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, ‘Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?’ And I said, ‘Here am I. Send me!’” Isaiah 6:8
*Names have been changed for the privacy and safety of our workers, ministry partners, and those we serve.
Maggie Watts
Content Creator
I am a Content Creator with SIM USA. It is a joy to use writing and multimedia to glorify God and tell stories about how He is working around the world.