“This book allowed me to feel like I was visiting a continent I’ve never seen in person. The story is genuine and true, and abounds with miracles. It astounded me with its portrayal of sacrificial love! It’s a truly great read for anyone who wants to be encouraged!”
Lynn, Pastor/Hospice Chaplain
“You are a spectacular writer, creating vivid word pictures of experiences from your life. Oh! what a leap of faith your parents lived through as they boarded a ship and set sail. I will eagerly read more. What a story!”
Carol from Arizona
“Ellen is an eloquent writer and her inspirational account of her childhood in Africa is vivid and compelling. She has captured the heart of Swaziland 1,000 percent! A brilliant book!”
Njabuliso Gwebu, Swaziland Ambassador to the U.S., 2017-2021
“Ellen’s gift for writing brings the stories to life. I can visualize the places and people she describes.”
Dr. David Busic, General Superintendent, Church of the Nazarene
“Ellen’s writing style is powerful and the stories are memorable. Expressive language, beautifully written, rich in culture. This book is a big YES on inspiration!”
Wes Eby, Author, Editor, Missions Educator
Diary of a Third-Culture Kid: Missions, Miracles, and Mischief in the Last Kingdom of Africa is a story of an unconventional, often-madcap life, primarily in Eswatini but overlapping several cultures.
ABOUT THE BOOK
A Childhood Lived Between Worlds
Growing up in a missionary family in the last kingdom of Africa, Ellen Decker learned early that “home” was never just one place. Her story unfolds across cultures, languages, and landscapes—each one shaping her identity in ways both captivating and challenging. Diary of a Third-Culture Kid is a heartfelt memoir of belonging, loss, resilience, hilarity, and profoundly unforgettable miracles.
WHO WOULD ENJOY THIS BOOK?
A Story That Speaks to Every Heart That Has Ever Felt Between Places
This book resonates deeply with:
Third-Culture Kids (TCKs) navigating identity
Missionary Kids (MKs) who grew up overseas
Global nomads and expats
Readers who enjoy inspirational true stories
Mission educators passionate about global missions
Parents and counselors seeking insight into cross-cultural childhoods
Anyone who loves and longs for Africa
Whether you’ve lived among worlds or simply relish a powerful memoir, this uniquely panoramic narrative will stay with you.
THEMES AND TAKEAWAYS FROM THE BOOK
A Journey of Faith, Identity, and the Places That Shape Us
Inside these pages, readers will discover:
The joy of friendships formed across cultures
Missionary Kids (MKs) who grew up overseas
The bittersweet rhythm of constant goodbyes
The search for belonging when your heart is in many places
The resilience that grows from a life lived between borders
A TCK’s true identity: we have the largest, most closely-knit family in the world, and someday a breathtaking family reunion to look forward to
This unputdownable memoir reminds us there is a way back to that cherished place, far away in time or distance, that your soul longs for. When identity is more than geography, Diary of a Third-Culture Kidis your passport to belonging.
WHY READERS LOVE THIS BOOK
A Memoir That Feels Like Coming Home
Readers describe Diary of a Third-Culture Kid as:
“An unflinching portrait of growing up among worlds, and the journey of learning to forge an identity from all of them”
“Gorgeously written in emotionally rich, first-person authenticity”
“Life experiences that will capture the heart of every TCK and MK”
“A welcome gift to anyone who has ever experienced – or wondered – what it’s like to roam among worlds”
“A meaningful tribute to cross-cultural childhood”
This is more than a memoir—it’s a shared experience for anyone who has ever carried multiple homes in their heart.
WHY THIS BOOK STANDS OUT
A Rare Memoir That Speaks to Life Between Worlds Most memoirs explore a single place, a single culture, or a single moment in time. Diary of a Third‑Culture Kid is different. Ellen Decker offers a deeply personal look at what it means to grow up across continents with an umbilical cord that extends halfway around the world. Shaped by Africa, anchored by faith, and stretched by constant transition, her story captures the emotional truth of belonging everywhere and nowhere at once.
Authentic Third‑Culture Kid & Missionary Kid Perspective Few books truly reflect the lived experience of TCKs and MKs. Ellen writes from the inside, giving voice to the questions, joys, and challenges that define cross‑cultural childhood. Readers who have lived this life will feel seen; those who haven’t will gain a rare window into it.
A Memoir Rooted in Place, Heart, and Faith Set against the vibrant backdrop of Swaziland, this memoir blends cultural richness with spiritual depth. Her candid outlook will gladden your heart, strengthen your resolve, and bring healing to your soul.
Emotional Resonance That Lasts With warmth and clarity, Ellen captures the universal themes of identity, resilience, and the search for home. Her story lingers—inviting readers to reflect on their own journeys, their own places, and the people who shaped them.
A Story That Connects Across Generations Whether you’re a TCK, MK, global nomad, parent, educator, or memoir lover, this book offers insight, comfort, and a sense of belonging through shared experience.
Places in Diary of a Third-Culture Kid
Diary of a Third-Culture Kid is a gorgeously written, frequently hilarious memoir of growing up in Africa. A welcome gift to any reader who has ever experienced, or wondered, what it’s like to roam among worlds.
For photos related to Diary of a Third-Culture Kid, click here.
