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Meet Lynnsi Wagner: A Journey of Faith and Adventure

Posted on by Sheryl O'Bryan

Lynnsi Wagner map

Meet Lynnsi Wagner: A Journey of Faith and Adventure

Lynnsi Wagner is thrilled to connect with the community at Interaction International as its newest staff member. Her journey began in Uganda, where she was born to missionary parents and lived for 13 years. In 8th grade, her family moved to Kenya, where she attended and graduated from Rift Valley Academy. Now, she resides in Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania with her husband, Micah who is also an RVA alum. It’s a place where her toothbrush and heart happily calls home.

One of Lynnsi’s favorite experiences in Uganda was white water rafting on the Nile River. The combination of fear and thrill as she was carried away by God’s mighty creation was an incredible way to let the majesty of the Creator settle deep in her soul. She also fondly recommends the classic safaris in Kenya; it’s an adventure she believes everyone should experience at least once.

At Interaction International, Lynnsi will serve as a TCK Specialist. She will focus on programs such as Transit Lounge and TCK Connect. We look forward to her developing materials for parents of TCKs. Lynnsi is passionate about empowering parents to support their children effectively, believing that they are the best people to do this crucial work. Motivated by her own experiences growing up, she knows firsthand the importance of healing and preventative work. It gets her up each morning and spurs her on as she develops a team of ministry partners*.

Why Interaction?

Lynnsi chose to join Interaction International because the organization shares her passion for investing in the health of TCKs. She admires Interaction International’s commitment to empowering TCK caregivers through education. Lynnsi appreciates how the organization creates a supportive environment that values the well-being of TCKs and their families.

When it comes to reading, Lynnsi is currently enjoying Lauren Wells’ “Raising Up a Generation of Healthy Third Culture Kids* and *Little Women* by Louisa May Alcott. She enthusiastically recommends *The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry* by John Mark Comer, a book that addresses how busyness, much like sin, can sever our connection with God, others, and ourselves. This book has been particularly impactful in her life, prompting her to slow down and focus on what truly matters.

Lynnsi Growing Up

Lynnsi’s family of origin includes four brothers, two older and two younger and her parents, John and Rebecca Fulks. All five siblings spent most, if not all, of their developmental years in East Africa, cherishing their time there despite the challenges. These experiences have deeply shaped Lynnsi’s worldview and fueled her passion for helping other TCKs navigate their unique journeys.

Mentors Make a Difference

Reflecting on mentorship, Lynnsi acknowledges the significant impact mentors have had on her life, whether they were present in person or historical figures. Their wisdom and guidance serve as invaluable lights on her journey. She hopes to pass on the same level of encouragement and support to the TCKs she works with.

One person from the Bible Lynnsi would love to sit with is Mary Magdalene. Being one of the first women to walk among Jesus’s disciples and witnessing His ministry up close must have been extraordinary. Lynnsi would ask her to share her perspective on being the first to the tomb among her other experiences with Jesus.

Lynnsi Wagner’s journey of faith and dedication to supporting TCKs and their families is truly inspiring. Her commitment to empowering parents and caregivers reflects her deep passion for this vital work. Interaction International is blessed to have such a passionate and knowledgeable individual on their team. Lynnsi’s story testifies to the transformative power of faith, mentorship, and community. We are excited to see the positive impact she will continue to make on TCKs and their families

 

*Ministry partners are a crucial, and largely unseen part, of Interaction’s work. Each full time staff member is required to create a team of ministry partners who sacrificially pray and give their money to help fund the work of the team member, and, therefore, the work of Interaction. Without ministry partners, there is no ministry.  If you’re interested in joining Lynnsi’s team, please contact her or go to the Give page, find her name on the drop down menu, and either make a special gift or a commitment to regular giving.

Our Newest Volunteer – Sheri Mergenthal

Posted on by Sheryl O'Bryan

Our newest volunteer, Sheri Mergenthal, is ready for you to meet her. She is a dedicated and passionate individual whose life story is a testament to faith, adventure, and love for community. We love what she brings to Interaction International, and we hope you will, too.

Our Newest Volunteer

From Ohio to Africa

Born in Ohio, Sheri’s journey began when her family moved to Chicago for her parents to attend Bible school. Shortly after they finished in Chicagoland, they moved to Belgium to learn French. The family’s goal was with Africa Inland Mission in what is now the Democratic Republic of Congo. Because of the limitations of MK education in the DRC, most of Sheri’s high school years were spent at Rift Valley Academy in Kenya, a boarding school.

College and Family Life

After high school, she attended Taylor University in Indiana, an experience and school she highly recommends. Post-college life led her to southern California, where she married Wade, her husband of almost 40 years. Although they initially hoped to work in North Africa, that didn’t work out. They settled in beautiful Camarillo, California, where they raised their family.

Their family is beautifully multicultural, blessed through adoption. They have two sons and a daughter-in-law they adore. Matt and Tori live in Texas, and Daniel resides in Arizona, though they hope he will move closer to Waxhaw soon.

A pivotal moment in Sheri’s journey came through the ministry of Jamie and Donna Winship. This helped her hear God’s voice more clearly. It also helped her discover her unique identity–the one and only Sheri created by God. Every day is a new adventure as she sees God working through her in ways that are unique.

A New Chapter in North Carolina

With their children grown and retirement approaching, Sheri and Wade sought new ways to serve. Feeling called to support Bible translation, they moved to North Carolina to join the Wycliffe/JAARS/SIL community. Living in Waxhaw brought back cherished childhood memories of family time in western North Carolina.

Interestingly, a sewing machine has become one of our newest volunteer’s best friends. Despite avoiding sewing while growing up in Africa, and thanks to her grandmother’s influence during college, Sheri now enjoys quilting. Designing and making quilts for special occasions has become a cherished hobby. She even keeps an occasional quilt kept for herself!

Our Newest Volunteer Connects with Students

At Interaction International, our newest volunteer’s role is evolving. She is excited to connect with students through TCK Connect and Transit Lounge, Interaction’s cross-cultural transition seminar for teens. This spring Sheri helped with the Friday morning TCK Connect call. Her presence allowed small groups to go back to being small again.

Sheri will serve at Transit Lounge in Georgia this summer. Once again, she will be a small group leader. We know she will be a willing friend to all TCKs present.

Other Bits of Information

When it comes to snacks, dark chocolate tops the list – nothing less than 72% cacao will do! Recently, her son Matt introduced her to Trader Joe’s peanut butter pretzels, a new favorite. She’s not sure if she should bless him or curse him for her new hankering.  We hope she brings some of her new gustatory infatuation to Transit Lounge so the rest of Interaction’s staff can sample some.

Writing is a passion for Sheri. She credits her first real mentor, an 11th-grade English teacher at Rift Valley Academy, with learning to love expressing herself through the written word. This teacher, on sabbatical from a southern California public school, profoundly impacted her life. Tough but loving, he challenged students to think outside the box and to see truths about themselves, thus leaving a lasting legacy for so many.

We are thrilled to welcome such a passionate and experienced individual to our team. Sheri’s journey of faith and dedication to serving others is truly inspiring. We hope that you will join us in welcoming our newest volunteer–Sheri Mergenthal!

 

The Legendary Special Sauce

Posted on by Sheryl O'Bryan

There’s a legendary special sauce that makes Transit Lounge stand out. It’s our MK staff. We might design and lead the programs with care, enthusiasm, and heart, but they make everything more. More intense. More heartfelt. More relatable. More better.

Volunteer MK Staff are Transit Lounge’s “special sauce.” These young professionals take a week off of work and travel at their own expense to give back to their TCK community. They lead small groups, share their experiences, and bring the fun. Without them, we’re at a loss.

More about the Legendary Special Sauce

These legends also teach during our week of Transit Lounge. Some teach large group sessions and workshops around their areas of expertise. All of them teach the TCKs in their small groups in an informal, personal way. During one-on-one times with each member of their small groups, the MK staff has the opportunity to share their own hard won knowledge–especially as it relates to transitioning into American life.

Ken Spenser Small Group 23

The small group that Ken and Spenser led in the summer of ’23.

Ken, an MK staff member raised in Ghana, explained, “As a TCK who didn’t have a Transit Lounge experience, I was poorly equipped and really struggled with my adult life in the US. I volunteer each summer to help the TCKs who are going through those same struggles.”

Another MK staff member, and also part of Interaction’s regular staff, Spenser said, “When I tell people that volunteering at Transit Lounge feels like a vacation, they always give me a weird look. Not sure why. This is an excellent opportunity to give back and pass forward the things that were shared with me at some point. In addition, listening to the TCKs in my group share their stories, showing them they are important, and being interested in them is my way of loving on them, and I believe the Holy Spirit works through that.”

When asked what he has learned in his years of volunteering at Transit Lounge, Spenser replied, “It doesn’t matter how many times you hear about something if you’re not listening.” How true! Exposure to a concept rarely means it is internalized.  One of the important things that makes our MK staff the legendary special sauce, is that they review the concepts presented throughout the week with their small groups. This allows them to learn what has been heard and to either correct or encourage the internalization of the information.

Importance of Small Group Leaders

One of the primary responsibilities of the MK staff is to lead small groups. These groups meet daily–if not more often. Within the confines of the small group, each member–including the MK staff leader–shares their story. This is one of the few places a TCK can tell their life story to others and have an audience that relates to it.  What a gift to be seen and known!

Some small groups disband with little contact at the end of the week. Others form groups on Whats App and check in with each other regularly. Once, there was a small group that planned their own mini-retreat over a weekend a few months after the end of camp. They insisted their staff leader needed to be present in order to make the weekend complete. Right there! That’s the stuff of legendary special sauce!

Summer '23 Collage

Small groups and the Legendary Special Sauce small group leaders from the summer of ’23.

Ongoing Influence

Recently, I received a text from a TCK who was in my small group a few years ago.  We had not had much contact since we said good-bye at the end of camp. We follow each other on some social media platforms, but neither one of us posts much. However, as I followed my pup around the dog park, my phone buzzed with an incoming message.  The TCK wanted to know if I remembered her–of course I did! Then she caught me up a little on her life, and asked if I would pray for her. Again–of course!

I know I’m not the only one to receive messages like this. Some of our MK staff don’t see their influence beyond the week their together with the Transit Lounge participants. Some are able to maintain hear from parents about the impact they made on a TCK. And a few are able to maintain contact for years.

What a privilege it is to build lasting relationship with TCKs as they begin the arduous business of adulting in America.  Even if it’s only for a few days, it’s important work. It’s also a particular joy that happens in very few other contexts.

We are thankful for our MK staff and love seeing them positively impact the next generation of TCKS.

Jump into June

Many of you reading this already gave towards TCK scholarships with our Jump into June initiative–thank you so much! If you haven’t, would you? Giving to Jump into June makes it possible for MKs and other TCKs who couldn’t otherwise afford to a week of camp to join our Transit Lounge community of TCKs. Without your gift to help cover costs, there are TCKs who will miss out on the influence of our legendary special sauce. None of us want that.

 

Parents Have a Lot to Say

Posted on by Sheryl O'Bryan

 

Parents have a lot to say

Parents have a lot to say about Transit Lounge and its impact on their children.  In case you were wondering if Transit Lounge is just a week at camp or if there’s more to it, parents think there’s a lot more to it. Each year after we wrap up our summer programs we are so encouraged when parents share how their kids are doing.

One mom who sent two of her daughters to us last summer told us Transit Lounge is mentioned almost daily in their home. They are still enjoying the fruit of the week. The elder daughter told her mom excitedly, “I didn’t melt down or cry before my “History of Me” speech.” When mom asked, “Why?” she said, “I think I did a lot of work on grief at Transit Lounge so I felt less anxious in class.”

Grief and the TCK

Grief is Loss’s constant companion.  They are inseparable. TCKs experience at least as much loss, and, therefore grief, by the time they graduate from high school as most monocultural Americans experience in the course of their whole lives.  That’s a lot of grief!

We know that unprocessed grief is a millstone around the neck. It weighs down. It limits capacity. It inhibits in ways we can’t imagine–until it’s processed and the healing process can begin.  Transit Lounge is NOT a debriefing program, However, informal debriefing happens throughout the week.

small group hug

TCKs share their stories in small groups and during one on one time with their small group leader.  They tell their roommates during walks and after lights out. They tell the counselor on staff when the stories and the feelings that are knit into them are too big, and they tell them when they know they must be spoken. Carrying grief and the stories of the words and actions that birthed the grief is laborious.

Thankfully, Transit Lounge is not “Grief Camp.” Lots of fun happens every day.  From the silliness that starts each session to games and enjoying the vistas of each location, there’s a distinct lightness that infuses each week.

And then there’s the staff–both Interaction’s regular staff and the volunteer adult MK staff who make our programs possible–they all love the TCKs. They want to see them thrive. They want them to process their hard things. They bring the love and lightness with them.

More from Parents

The mom went on to share that her youngest daughter started crying as she drove away from camp—and she cried for most of the next two weeks. When asked why she was crying, the daughter responded, “They REALLY loved me. They really love TCKs–and they don’t have to!”

For two weeks that TCK processed her fears, grief, and resentment that had built up over her life. She was able to start her new school in the States well because she was armed with tools and strategies for processing a lifetime of masked pain.

So often loving someone looks like listening to them. At Transit Lounge, we listen. We humbly hold the sacred trust of hearing the TCKs in our midst. And that doesn’t just look like love. It’s how we love people well. It’s how we love TCKs well.

Another mom wrote and said, “My daughter had a wonderful time–to put it lightly! Thank you for the hours invested in making that week beneficial. We are eager to see how God uses all she learned.”

Readying Transit Lounge

Even after years of experience, Transit Lounge isn’t a pop-up event.  Within weeks of ending the last session of the summer’s last Transit Lounge, we start to work on the plan for the next summer.  We read and discuss the feedback the TCKs give us. We grab on to feedback from parents.  We digest all the tidbits of response and information that come to us.

We train our volunteer staff on running small groups, on child safeguarding, on the topics we’ll cover in our week together. We write to our financial and prayer supporters to garner scholarships and spiritual support. We don’t take any of the work lightly.

We need you. We need you to partner with us to make Transit Lounge a reality for MKs and other TCKs who can’t afford the week of camp–the week of starting to heal, the week of laughter and fun. Will you give towards a Transit Lounge scholarship? Will you pay for a TCK’s day at camp? Will you sponsor an MK?

Click over to this page and change a life.

We know if we’re as prepared as we can be for the summer, we’ll be able to have a lot of fun and love TCKs well.  We know parents will have a lot to say when we’re done. We can’t wait to hear it!

Why MKs Need Transit Lounge Now

Posted on by Sheryl O'Bryan

This is why MKs need Transit Lounge now–not every TCK experience is a good one.  Some have great experiences.  All experience loss and grief. All need Transit Lounge.

MKs Need Transit Lounge Now Because Being a TCK Can Be Painful

We see this on their applications. This year one applicant wrote, “I moved back to the US right before high school. High school was rough. I feel stuck here, and I just want to go home but my country is at war. Being a TCK feels more like a curse than a blessing right now.”

Another applicant told us that TCK life is “…just hard. It is so painful some days and it takes time to heal from so many goodbyes. Carrying the burden of all of the mini griefs and losses is painful some days.” We can’t erase that pain, but we share it.  As the old saying goes, “A grief shared is a grief halved. MKs need Transit Lounge to help reduce the load of grief they carry.

“In elementary and middle school, I went to an international school where there were few children who were of my ethnicity, and as a result, I was bullied for how I was different.” Bullies exist everywhere in the world. We can’t change that.  However, we can provide a place of belonging for all MKs/TCKs.  That’s part of what Transit Lounge does.

Isolation, another common TCK experience, can come in many forms. One MK wrote on their application, “Between being in a foreign public school or being home schooled, it made me very lonely due to either being surrounded by people who would make fun of me for my beliefs or by being surrounded by no one at all.” Every educational choice has a price tag, a lot of those are emotional rather than monetary. Transit Lounge gives MKs a place where isolation is not the norm and community exists.

In a study conducted by TCK Training on the Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE.) of TCKs, they discovered that 21% of the Adult TCKs surveyed had an ACE score of 4 or higher.  This is significant. In the general population of the United States, only 12.5% of adults scored 4 or more on the ACE scale. Higher ACE scores indicate a greater possibility for a person to have more physical, mental, and behavioral problems in adulthood.

Thankfully, ACE scores can be mitigated by Positive Childhood Experiences (PCEs).  These include being listened to, belonging to a group of peers in high school, being prioritized, and having at least two non-parent adults who are invested in you. Transit Lounge is a week long PCE celebration! This is part of the reason why MKs need Transit Lounge now.

 

Another Reason Why MKs Need Transit Lounge Now

We Belong

 

Those same MKs who struggled with belonging and grief and hardships also said the following things about why they’re thankful to be TCKs.

“I have loved being a TCK and getting to know people from unique and new backgrounds. I feel so much more capable when it comes to being independent because I’ve seen so much more of the world. I know how to adapt, how to be humble, and appreciate new experiences and cultures. The wider worldview that being a TCK has given me is something that I truly cherish and  to (and will) take with me wherever I go.”

“I learned how it feels to be excluded and to have empathy for those going through it. These experiences have both helped me learn compassion for the people who do not have friends or family and will help me serve those who have had similar or worse experiences… I feel that I have learned what…my calling will be…I have learned how Christ would want me to treat those who have less.”

If needs were duffel bags, a sense of belonging would be the biggest duffel bag most campers arrive with. Even if they belonged to a place and a friend group before they moved. A new continent, country, school, workplace, and church all at the same time creates a new need to belong. Transit Lounge helps to normalize this experience.  One of the reasons why MKs need Transit Lounge now  is so they know they are not alone in the midst of this humongous (and often monstrous!) transition.

Transit Lounge helps TCKs understand that healing can start immediately. They leave with tools, strategies, and the courage to keep at it. The also leave knowing a community exists where they belong.

Transit Lounge is more than a week of learning or a week of camp. Transit Lounge helps shift perspectives. Transit Lounge impacts lives forever and that’s why MKs need Transit Lounge now.

Jump into June

Interaction’s Jump into June campaign provides scholarships that make Transit Lounge financially feasible for most missionary families.  A scholarship for a day of camp costs$50.  A week of scholarship is $350. We need your help in providing scholarships for MKs and other TCKs who might not be able to afford Transit Lounge.  You can find more information (and give!) here. You can watch a video of our President, Bret Taylor, talk about why MKs need Transit Lounge now.  Follow the link and join in!

Jump into June 2024

Posted on by Sheryl O'Bryan

Jump into June 2024 - Transit Lounge is Here

Jump into June 2024 with us! We know May has just begun.  It seems odd that we’re going to post a lot about June in the coming weeks, but we’re looking ahead. We want you to join us–and many missionary and other expat families–on our journey to June.

June marks a pivotal time for Interaction International, as we gear up to launch our transformative summer programs tailored for Missionary Kids (MKs) and Third Culture Kids (TCKs) returning from their international lives. These programs play a vital role in easing their transition from global living to American life, fostering deep connections and spiritual growth.

We cross the southern part of the country–from Texas to Georgia–holding cross-cultural transition seminars for teen aged TCKs.  Transit Lounge is one of the ways we give direct care to American kids who are growing up globally.  Transit Lounge is actually three camps held in the course of the summer.  Our Dallas area Transit Lounge starts in June.

Will you “Jump into June” with Interaction International this year?

Engagement and Expenses Climb while Revenue Declines

We love the work we do in June. We love being in real time with TCKs–and our staff.  June is wonderful!

However, June is also the most expensive time of year for us. Our summer programs will cost over $55,000 on top of our regular expenses!  That’s a lot.

The bad news is, June is also the month where donations historically slow down.

Historic expense and income graph

Expenses up! Donations down! That’s a huge problem. But that’s where you come in.

Jump into June 2024 Provides Scholarships

This is where your invaluable support becomes instrumental. Through our annual “Jump into June” scholarship drive, you have the unique opportunity to make a tangible difference in the lives of MKs and TCKs. Your generous contributions directly fund scholarships amounting to $21,000, enabling these TCKs to participate in Transit Lounge without financial barriers.

These scholarships not only benefit missionary families by easing financial burdens but also ensure the longevity and impact of Interaction International’s mission. They empower us to continue providing essential support and guidance to TCKs, fostering their growth and resilience.

Over the upcoming weeks, we invite you to delve deeper into the significance and impact of Transit Lounge through our blog. Learn firsthand why these programs are essential for MKs/TCKs, explore testimonials from parents about their children’s transformative experiences, and uncover the secret ingredients that make Transit Lounge a resounding success year after year

If you’d like to hear Bret Taylor, Interaction International’s president provide an insightful overview of Jump into June 2024,we encourage you to  click here.  Additionally, you can seize the opportunity to sponsor a TCK for a day (or more!) by visiting our donation page. Your support during “Jump into June 2024” is a catalyst for change and growth in the lives of these remarkable young individuals. Jump into June 2024 with us. You won’t regret it for a second!

Join us this June and be part of a meaningful journey that leaves a lasting impact. Together, let’s make a difference—one scholarship at a time. Embrace the spirit of generosity and compassion by supporting Interaction International’s mission. Jump into June 2024 with us, and witness the transformative power of your contribution.