A Story to Tell
By Ian K.
The best stories come from a need. When you back that need with passion, diligence, and personal experience, you just might find something worth sharing. We all could find a story about our personal experience that we could talk about, but not many have the diligence to write, illustrate, and publish such a story into a book. Regan had such a story to share. Using her talents in writing and drawing to publish a children’s book about China—a place she calls home—Regan used her unique experiences to shed new light on a misunderstood country.
Regan and her family moved to China when she was six years old. Although originally not an easy move, she soon loved the country as much as her own. Reflecting on this, Regan said, “Every few years, my family visited the United States, but it was never the same again. Each time we traveled, I felt like I was leaving my home, not returning to it.” Growing up, she also had interests in reading books, writing stories, and drawing what was important to her. Pairing these God-given pastimes with her deep connection to a new home laid the foundation for what would become a way to express her life in China.
Due to Covid and other circumstances, Regan and her family were forced to leave China after ten years—a move that brought along a wave of emptiness and longing to be home. “The most amazing gift God had given me in my life was ripped out from beneath me. It felt like my life had exploded,” she said. Regan, struggling from the loss of yet another home, experienced the same pain that many others here at NSA have felt.
But there is beauty from ashes. A few years ago, Regan looked for a book that told the story or experience of an American kid growing up in China, but none was to be found. It simply didn’t exist. Within a year and a half of moving away from China, she decided to write and illustrate a children’s book that told her story. Explaining her book, Regan said, “It showcases the different colorful cities of China, and it describes what makes each place special. Most of all, it shows children that China is not what they see on the news. It’s so much more when you truly get to know the people, the culture, and the unique places across the country.” She saw a need that had never been met and chose to use her abilities to share what her home was truly like.
Reflecting on the book, she said, “While I had a goal to self-publish my book for other people to read and enjoy, the process of both writing and illustrating it was like therapy in a way.” During Regan’s time in China, God allowed her the opportunity to experience life in another country—an experience that impacted her profoundly. She used the passions that God gave her to do as few had done before. Writing a book about her insight on China was therapeutic for her, but it shows us that any person’s story can be used to relate God’s workings in our life. We might not all be talented writers and artists, but we all have a story to share about the blessings and opportunities that have been placed in our life.
Columns: 👤NSA People
Ian K. lives in Lynchburg, Virginia, but previously lived overseas as a missionary in Kenya and Uganda for eight years. He has attended NSA for four years and is currently in his senior year of high school. Ian has a passion for aviation and ministry, having grown up with this environment most of his life. He desires to pursue missionary aviation overseas, using the newspaper as a training field in preparation for reaching people during his future ministry.