Being a missionary kid, coming from a foreign country to Grace College might seem exciting.

New sights. New people. New opportunities.

But what most people don't think of are the difficult adjustments. Strange customs. Unfamiliar slang. Different foods. Not to mention missing family across the world.

"I can live and be happy, but Germany will always be home," said Sarah Ramsey, freshman.

Franci Jones, freshman, an MK from Kenya, agrees. "It's a real sense of loss knowing you left it (people and things at home) behind, halfway around the world, and you can't go back to get it," she said.

The girls believe such adjustments can be made only by trusting in God and in finding the good in their surroundings - which isn't always easy.

"The first time I went to Wal-Mart," said Jones, "there was this can of tuna as big as a backpack. It's hard to see that as a commonality when you are familiar with starving people. There's so much food and wealth but not evenly distributed."

Ramsey saw things on a similar scale in the cafeteria at Grace College. "Everything has to be more," she said, "They pile food even though they can't eat it all. I may look and talk like an American, but I can't follow their train of thought."

Most MKs are American citizens. But because of their prolonged exposure to other cultures, American thinking is unfamiliar.

Probably one of the greatest differences MKs have with Americans is their flippant greetings. "They say 'Hi, how are you?' but they don't really care," said Ramsey.

An MK from France, Jessica Griffith, sophomore, told how she experimented one day by answering the American greeting with "Pregnant, thanks!" in a normal, cheerful tone. She said not one person noticed the entire day. It affirmed to her (and to numerous others who have heard her story) that most Americans really don't care when they greet and ask how someone is.

Still, there are different views. Daniel Papas, freshman, an MK from Germany, admits he first thought America's greeting was superficial, but later "realized they were being nice." Papas decided it "feels good to know people care."

Although there are many differences and challenges, MKs don't feel negative about all aspects of America. One of the favorite American pastimes Papas has acquired is cheering at basketball games. "You can be so loud in the U.S., and no one cares!" he said. "In Germany no one jumps or yells. Here they do it and it's great!"

When faced with the questions of how, as Christians, their peers could make their transition easier, the MKs gave similar responses. "If people would try to understand different cultures. If we (MKs) behave strange - it's not strange; we're just from somewhere else. I mean, I'm not from Mars," said Papas.

Ramsey expressed a desire for Americans to treat MKs as "normal people. We're just different in the way we think."

Still, the MKs recognize that it is not their place to demand different actions or attitudes from Americans. Jones expressed her expectation for Americans by saying, "As Christians I think we're called to have a heart of compassion for the world and for the lost. This includes MKs. It's not easy to be one. It's difficult."

Alcohol Board Renews 21 Permits, Transfers 2

BY DAVID SLONE, Times-Union Staff Writer

Two transfers of ownership and 21 renewal petitions were approved by the Kosciusko County Alcoholic Beverage Commission Thursday.

There were no violations on any of the petitions.

After approving a beer, wine and liquor dealer renewal for Milford Party Pack, ABC approved the transfer of ownership for the permit from Norman Lovell to Donald and Jim Trammel.

The other transfer of ownership was for a beer, wine and liquor dealer permit to Gary J. Warnacut for Lakeview Liquors, Silver Lake.

Automatic permit renewals approved include: Gropp's Fish of Stroh, Syracuse, beer, wine and liquor and Sunday sales retailer; Finish Line, Syracuse, beer, wine and liquor and Sunday sales retailer; American Legion Post 223, Syracuse, beer, wine and liquor retailer; Marge's Marina, Silver Lake, beer and wine dealer; Holiday Inn Express & Suites, Warsaw, beer, wine and liquor retailer; Sparky's Club, Warsaw, beer, wine and liquor and Sunday sales retailer; The Pastime, Pierceton, beer, wine and liquor and Sunday sales retailer; CVS Pharmacy, Warsaw and North Webster, beer, wine and liquor dealer; Turf Bar, Milford, beer and wine retailer; Service Liquors, Warsaw, beer, wine and liquor dealer; Barbee Hotel Bar & Grill, Warsaw, beer, wine and liquor and Sunday sales retailer; Rozella Ford Restaurant & Lounge, Warsaw, beer, wine and liquor and Sunday sales retailer.

Members of the ABC are Darwin Call, Kenneth Johnson, excise officer Patty Fleck and Gordon Vanator. They meet at 2 p.m. in the Kosciusko County courthouse on the first Thursday of every month. [[In-content Ad]]