Melinda Pritchard has lived with her family in Hiroshima, Japan for about five and a half years. Because her family works a “faith mission,” one denomination in particular does not sponsor her family, but many different people, churches, and organizations contribute. This means that they must raise enough money to go to the mission field and then they must keep up the “support” to remain there.

Melinda has two different feelings about being an MK (Missionary Kid). At times she feels alone, and at other times she does not want to be anything but an MK. Melinda loves the fact that, as an MK, she has a “great opportunity to share the gospel.” Also, she loves living in a “different country, [making] new friends, and [learning] a different language.” On the other hand, Melinda has found, in her experience as a MK, that many people in both the United States and Japan have not accepted her. She finds herself feeling unaccepted in Japan “because they see [her] as an ‘outsider.’” About the US, Melinda said, “I don’t want to stereotype Americans, but a lot of people there tend to think that MKs are perfect.”

Homeschooling has not always been Melinda’s form of education, but she has been homeschooled most of her life. For third grade, Pritchard attended a “private school in the [United States]” and a “Japanese school.” This year Melinda does not just take from The Potter’s School, but she also attends a “small private school.” Melinda loves TPS, but attending another school this year makes it a “little harder.”

In 1999, the Pritchard family found out that Mrs. Prichard was pregnant. Melinda and her sister were “ecstatic!” “Three months before the baby was due,” Melinda and her family “took a ride in an ambulance.” After arriving at the hospital, they found out that the baby was in “serious trouble.” Brianna Faith Pritchard came into this world on February 8th, 1999. Two days later, she died of multiple fatal birth defects. The Pritchard family trusted God throughout this trial, and many Japanese saw this. “One woman [was] even baptized! God is awesome!” Melinda says.

“If you would, keep us and the other missionaries here in Japan in your prayers. It’s a really hard mission field,” Melinda requests.

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