1) “Developing countries” can vary greatly in terms of the resources they offer for the education of one’s children, and where one decides to live within this country. Most capitals offer either schools established to educate the children of missionaries or private schools where children are able to receive an education which will prepare them for university entrance in the U.S. (or Europe, or within the country itself).

2) Apart from home schooling, other options are available, depending on both finances and whether you are open to boarding schools. • As noted above, if one is based in the capital of most developing countries, good schools are often available. The tuition costs will vary. In Bogotá, Colombia, we sent our three children through English speaking private schools. Now, they would be financially out of reach. However, there is as present an English speaking school established especially with missionary children in mind. • Many missionaries send their children to boarding schools. The old China Inland Mission established the famous school for missionary children in Chefoo, on the coast. The Christian Missionary Alliance has quite a large school in Quito, Ecuador. Woodstock School, in the northern hills of India is famous, as is the Rift Valley Academy, in East Africa.

Even though they don’t home school their children, many mothers, even with professional training and a strong call for participation in ministry, consider that for the sake of their children it is preferable to not work full time until their children are in school, which may take several years, depending, of course, on how many children one has.

All these options, of course, are dependent on the personal values, priorities, and expectations of the individual missionary family. In addition to your personal preferences, the mission under which you work may have its own suggestions and guidelines.

May the Lord guide you as you prepare for marriage, your missionary service, and the raising of your family.

In His Grace,