A Life Lived Across Borders
I’ve spent my life crossing borders — not just between countries, but between cultures, worldviews, and ways of belonging. From my earliest days as a Third Culture Kid (TCK) in rural Africa to my current work supporting globally mobile families, one thing has stayed constant: my belief that meaningful connection is at the heart of a healthy, resilient life overseas.
MY STORY
Childhood Abroad
Born in California, my TCK journey truly began in Quebec and Cameroon, where my family served as global workers. I experienced the beauty and challenges of growing up between worlds. Life between cultures meant sharing beans and rice in a rural village with my Cameroonian family, catching taxis in the capital with TCK friends, and navigating reverse culture shock in the U.S. on home assignments.
At 17, I helped lead orientation for new TCKs starting life abroad—an experience that sparked a lifelong passion for ministry and expat family health. One ordinary day in Geometry class, I met Sam, my high school sweetheart and now husband—a fellow TCK from the D.R. Congo.
Together, we began building a life rooted in faith in Jesus, shaped by connection across borders, and founded on our deep love for the great outdoors.
MY STORY
Teaching and Raising Kids Internationally
In 2013, our pursuit of missions took us to Lesotho and South Africa where we raised our two children and still serve today. I built a career in education - teaching in both public and private schools, co-founding homeschool cooperatives, leading a World Languages Department, and developing programs for at-risk youth.
Sam and I co-founded a Business As Mission model, an accredited auto repair training facility in South Africa. It was meaningful, stretching work—and it taught us the hard-earned lessons of balancing personal health, family well-being, and the demands of cross-cultural ministry.
Through it all, I saw firsthand the powerful impact of intentional connection on family health. Those years deepened my commitment to equipping other global families with practical tools to flourish abroad.
MY STORY
Training Families Like Yours Worldwide
Today, I continue that mission through speaking engagements, training workshops, and writing, with families like yours at the heart of it all. Whether through my books, Raising a Family Overseas and Sam's Roommate Disaster, as a regular contributor to podcasts, mission training institutions, and publications like A Life Overseas, my goal is to equip you with encouragement and insight on what helps expat families thrive—and what can quietly unravel them.
As an expat family consultant and certified debriefer, I train sending agencies and help clients navigate transitions, balancing family health and their expat work through research-based methods.
Now based in South Africa, I partner with TCK Training and international organizations to support families like yours around the world.
This work isn't just a profession — it's a lifelong passion and a reflection of my story, my values, and the lessons learned along the way.
Master of Education in Curriculum and Instruction
Concordia University Irvine
Bachelor of Secondary French Teaching
University of Northern Iowa
Taught in both public and private schools in the U.S. and internationally
Developed accredited job skills training programs in South Africa
Department Head of World Languages Cedar Falls High School
Developed an after-school program for at-risk youth
Co-developed homeschool cooperatives in Lesotho and South Africa
Expat Family Consultant and TCK Training Instructor & Presenter
Developed pre-field training for global workers
Created onboarding intensives for mission teams
Certified family and TCK debriefer with TCK Training
Specialized in delivering tailored resources and training for international organizations and expat families
Keynote speaker and workshop developer for international conferences
Grew up in Quebec and Cameroon as a TCK
Married to a fellow TCK from D.R. Congo
Training international companies and families
Started a business in South Africa
Raised two children cross-culturally in Lesotho and South Africa since 2013
Began expat family support work at age 17, training new TCKs with SIL International's Africa Orientation Course
"Full of many great and helpful truths!"
“Just finished reading this book and found it so full of many great and helpful truths! Finally someone who has lived this out and learned from all life had her and her family walk through A must read! So full of amazing content!”
Pat Swartzendruber
Co-Founder JP Ministries
"One of the best that I’ve ever read"
I thought this would be just “another” good book to prepare families for living overseas. I was wrong! It was one of the best that I’ve ever read. Anna communicates so well the life I’ve lived (raising a family myself in Asia for 45 years) and I believe this will help many families in their preparation.
Judy Christian
Book Review
"I highly recommend it."
"This book is especially informative for those getting ready to move to the field, It’s so consumable and reads so smoothly that I found myself devouring almost all of it on a Saturday morning. I wish this book had been around before we moved abroad! I highly recommend it."
Team Winn
Book Review
Hope
Equipping families to navigate transitions, challenges, and unfamiliar places from a place of strength
Connection
Prioritizing meaningful relationships within families, communities, and across cultures.
My Values
Research-Based
Training expat families to thrive using research-based methods
Empathy
Valuing lived experience and walking alongside others with care and understanding.
Faith
Encouraging holistic health through life connection to Christ
ANNA’S BOOKS
Real Stories & Practical Guidance
A fun middle grade novel about finding friendship in unlikely places as a TCK in Africa
4.7 / 5 (15)
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