MaDonna Maurer sat down with Matthew Williamson to discuss his recent return to his passport country. Matthew was born in Taiwan. He is a third-generation missionary kid, but Matthew’s story differs from that of typical missionary kids. Matthew was born with Down Syndrome. After his birth and diagnosis, upon the recommendation of the pediatrician in Taiwan, his family moved to the US, where he could receive the therapies and treatments he needed. Since then, this ATCK has had four major moves in his life. This topic of homesickness and transition is one that Matthew knows very well.
When he was 6, they returned to Taiwan, where his brother attended Morrison Academy. His mother homeschooled Matthew, but he was allowed to take PE and art classes. Matthew left Taiwan at the age of 29. He lived most of his life on the island, which the Portuguese named “Formosa,” meaning Beautiful.
Matthew spent his last years in an East Coast city where the population is not as crowded. His family was involved in a “uniquely-abled ministry.” This ministry involved having meals and Bible studies in their home with other families affected by disability. Matthew shared that they also started an organized baseball league called “Overcomers,” which continued after they left Taiwan. He shared many fond memories of this island, which he called home for most of his life.
The island is beautiful, with tall mountains and blue waters surrounding the oblong-shaped land that sits off the coast of mainland China. It is one of the places where migrating birds stop on their journey, going north or south depending on the season. He said that one of the things he missed was listening to the birds, especially the pheasants. But birds are not the only sound that Matthew misses. As this island rests on the Tropic of Cancer, it holds a subtropical feel. With that come typhoons, which can cause much damage, but Matthew shared that he misses the sound of the mighty wind. And the East Coast can receive some very powerful winds. He must like powerful noises because he also mentioned that he misses the sounds of the jets flying overhead, landing at the nearby air force base. Hidden losses are those things that we may not always think about. These were everyday sounds for Matthew and are a good example of hidden losses.
Matthew took Chinese lessons in Taiwan, which helped him buy things and communicate with those who came to his family’s home for meals and Bible studies. Another hidden loss that Matthew mentioned was the loss of language. He told me he was still searching for someone to teach him Chinese near his new home. He misses his old teacher and Chinese classes.
Homesickness brings memories of the people and things we left behind. Matthew shared that he misses his friends, especially those he worked with. He volunteered at the One Mission Society guest house. Matthew raked the leaves in the yard and helped with the laundry services. Community is important to Matthew. He shared that some of his favorite memories in Taiwan were attending the Taiwan Missionary Fellowship Conference every summer and the Junior Carnival at Morrison Academy. But his greatest memory was competing in the community track and field events at Morrison Academy. Even after his family moved to the other side of the island, they would travel back so Matthew could throw the discus and shot put. And just like everyone else, Matthew also misses certain foods from Taiwan. His eyes lit up as he shared that he wamted to drink a passion fruit green tea. He wouldn’t mind a meal of sweet and sour pork and dumplings (jiaozi) or a steaming bowl of beef noodles — things he cannot easily get in the part of the US they relocated to.
Life for an ATCK is like an ampersand; it is hard, yet some good things exist. Matthew shared some of the good things that are now part of his life in his new home. First, one of his favorite things in Taiwan was jumping on his trampoline and watching videos or movies. He had to leave his trampoline behind. And even though they bought the exact trampoline, he was still unable to set it up at the time of this interview because they were still in transition. But the good news is that they were in the middle of unpacking, and his new room is big enough to have it set up soon. He plans to decorate this new room with photos from Taiwan as well.
When I asked Matthew how he handled being a “little bit sad” about leaving Taiwan, he said, “God will bring me joy in the other stuff.” That “other stuff” is finding clubs in his area through the Down Syndrome Association. He is part of a book club and takes exercise classes at a local fitness club. He is also happy because he can visit with his older brother’s family, noting that family vacations are better because he can see all his nieces and nephews.
Thank you, Matthew, for taking the time to share with us. You share the complex parts of leaving one home and moving to your passport country. Your wisdom about how our joy comes from God is a good reminder to us all.
Matthew enjoys singing, playing baseball and throwing track, watching videos, especially Disney movies, and cooking. He is very good at photography, editing photos, uploading them into his computer and making powerpoints and videos. He likes to make praise videos. He excels at folding laundry. His folds are very precise! He hopes to find a job where he can use these skills.
In January, 2025, Matthew’s parents retired and the three of them moved back to the U.S.
