Parenting is never easy, but parenting in a foreign country carries a burden that only those who go through it can truly understand. Many international mothers and fathers in Korea work long hours, manage multiple responsibilities, and still worry whether they are giving their children enough attention, stability, or identity. I have met parents who cry quietly at night, wondering if their children will feel lost between cultures or unsure of who they are meant to be. If you are one of those parents, let me speak straight to your heart today: God sees you. God strengthens you. And God is using your journey to shape your children with incredible grace. Children raised in multicultural settings often grow with broader hearts, more profound compassion, and greater resilience. They learn to navigate differences, appreciate diversity, and see the world as God sees it, full of nations, languages, and stories that matter. You may not see the fruit now, but God is planting seeds in them every day through your sacrifices.

The Bible tells us, “Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it” (Proverbs 22:6).

This promise does not fade away just because you’re far from home. God’s grace is not limited by location. If you feel overwhelmed, exhausted, or unsure, remember this: Your presence is more potent than your perfection. Your prayers are shaping your children in ways you cannot yet see. Your courage to raise them in a foreign land will someday become their testimony. And remember, you don’t have to do it alone. The church is here to walk with your family, support your children, and be the extended community you might miss. If your child needs friends, we have them. If your teenager needs guidance, we are here. If your home feels stretched, we want to help.

You are doing better than you think.
And God is with you more than you feel.

By Rev. Yaqub Kashif