From the mission field: Children making connections

Aaron Andreasen, son of LCMS missionaries Rev. Jordon and Alison Andreasen, reads a letter from a pen pal during a “Missionary Kids Connect” event in the LCMS Eurasia region in April. (LCMS/Alison Andreasen)

Throughout The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod’s (LCMS) four international regions, there are more than 110 children who have deployed with their parents serving in the international mission field. Just like all children, these young people attend school (or are homeschooled), go to church and spend time with their families. It is also important for them to connect with other young people, including with the children of other international missionaries. Missionary kids understand each other in a unique way, based on their shared experience.

In April, the LCMS Eurasia region had a “Missionary Kids Connect” event, organized by Regional Care Coordinator Melissa Pflug. Missionaries Chelsea Irwin and Alison Andreasen hosted an online youth event for missionary kids ages 13–18 during which they invited the youth to participate in a “try not to laugh” challenge and then had an interactive Bible study led by the Rev. Jordon Andreasen, missionary to Romania, on the topic of when life does not go according to one’s expectations.

Simultaneously, for the younger missionary kids, a mail swap was arranged. Children were assigned to a pen pal of a similar age in a different area of the region, and the pen pals traded letters and fun items like stickers or coloring pages.

Alison Andreasen said, “It will be wonderful to see these relationships blossom even more when the kids gather together at the regional retreat later this summer. There will be one more event in the fall for these courageous, special and caring kids to further help them connect with other missionary kids. We pray the Lord blesses them with friendship and camaraderie.”

Posted July 1, 2026