When I was between the ages of 3 and 7 I grew up in this big 'community' I spent most of my time living, eating, playing with other people in this one hugs building because my parents were missionaries. They still are but after living there for 5 years God called them on to new places, that's why we're where we are now.
These were the best years of my life, I had fun, I was adored and I had the best friends in the world. And of course, because it was a missionary center my friends at WH kept coming.
So at first it was me, Libby (she's 2 years older than me and I looked up to her so much), Johny (her brother, only 3 months older), Nat (only a little younger than me), Milly (the same age as my sister, so she wasn't really 'in TR gang'), Ioan (the same age as me and Johny) and sometimes Aled (his older brother) as well. I have fond memories of running around the vast building, getting muddy, climbing trees and exploring with these friends. They were just the best.
Then more people joined; the Lamberts (who now have 7 kids??) were the next family to join. Their two oldest girls (the same age as me) were twins called Beth and Abi. We became absolute best friends, we went for meals, we went round to each others houses, we got each other gifts from holidays and when my mum was pregnant with my brother (and afterwards, after his death) they were constantly by outside looking after us. It was a six year old child's dream!
The Wisdoms followed on, they had a girl my age too, Bethany and we all got on like a house on fire (we even went on holiday with them?! Me and Beth spent the whole time playing made up games...) And me, Beth, Abi and Bethany were really really good friends.
I have the most amazing memories of picnics, watersports, tree climbing, riding on top of Land Rovers, going to the beach, camping out, everything with these guys. All of them were my best friends, it was the life most six year olds can only wish for!
Of course with mission work you have to move on, you get called. It was hard because I had invested my life in these friendships, I spent everyday with these children who were my age, who understood me. We were smart and adventurous - we were unique.
So we moved 5 hours away to a town called Grimsby. We visited often at first, we met up at WH we went to festivals we kept in contact mostly. But without phones and Facebook it was hard, we were only young after all.
The last time I properly saw everyone was 4 years ago, and since then I have grown closer with my friends and they as a group have grown closer. I see their messages to each other and their pictures of days out and frankly I'm jealous. I almost feel robbed of what could have, what should have been mine. I feel like an intruder, when I send them messages or comment on their posts, I never thought I'd feel this way about them.
I don't think my parents understood what this would really do to me, how it would hurt in such a bittersweet way.
We keep making plans to meet up and to get together and
Nothing ever happens of course, my parents don't let me
They're too busy
They still go off on mission as well, but never visiting Grimsby.
I love them so much but I know that my friend family, the ones who I base my life around, are here where I live now.
I am a mission kid.
And now God is calling me on.
