Two months ago, my mom and I got to experience the highly anticipated Parent
Vision Trip. This is a trip that we had been talking about months before I actually
left for the Race. We dreamed of Thailand or Africa, but the Lord works in funny and
mysterious ways and chose Antigua, Guatemala; a country that is very dear to both
our hearts but that we had been to 5 times previously. The more I have experience
the Race the more I realize it is less about travel and getting to new places and
more about experiencing God there; He wanted to take my mom and I full circle
since Guatemala was our first mission trip together.
The months leading up to PVT I was so excited, but weeks leading up to seeing
my mom I was anxious and a little fearful. We hadn’t seen each other for 9 months
now, what if we don’t know what to talk about? Or what if we don’t like each other?
But if you know the relationship I have with my mom, those were just silly lies the
enemy was speaking to ruin this experience. Was it weird to see my mom after
almost a year of solely emails and FaceTime? Of course, but we figured it out.
I loved these four days with my mom and they have been one of the most
memorable experiences on my Race. Seeing her step into ministry and loving
people well showed me where I get it from and just how much I love my mom. This
week was filled with lots and lots of food, hard conversations about the future,
more tears than I’ve produced on the entire Race and much needed snuggles. I’ll
be honest, it was difficult at times but it was expected and an authentic depiction
of what life will be like back home. I am so blessed that I was able to have this time
with my mom before I come home and that she was able to see the life I have been
living for the past 9 months. She truly is my best friend!
Here is my mom’s recap from this trip:
“I just returned from visiting my World Racer in Guatemala. I have been looking
forward to this trip for 9 long months. My daughter first began discussing her
dream of going on the World Race years before she actually left in September. I
attended Parent Launch before she left and it was difficult to leave her but I knew I
would see her soon (if you considered 9 months soon). It did give us something to
look forward to knowing we would get to meet up somewhere along their journey.
Finally we were informed our PVT would occur month 9 in Guatemala. The
preparation began for the trip- I had lists of things to bring my Racer; she was
missing some favorites from home. There are so many small things we take for
granted.
When we arrived we were picked up by AIM staff and transported to where our
Racers were, in a chicken bus that is. It was a wonderful reunion with lots of hugs
and tears. Many activities were planned to include ministry, eating, and definitely
shopping. The ministry was heartwarming, and we met many Christians dedicating
their lives to the Lord. We shared time with our Racers doing ministry the way they
have been for 9 months. It was amazing to watch them interact with children,
orphans, and the elderly. We shared worship with them.
Amongst the ministry we had some fun trips too, including climbing a volcano!
The hike to the top was definitely a challenge. The climb was steep and we were
followed by guides with horses hoping we would be too tired and pay them for a
ride. By looking forward to the downward way home we had no idea that it would
be almost worse. Many of the Racers decided to go down on their bottoms, I
assume they have become even more adventuresome since they left.
The bonus to all of what we did was seeing and actually hugging my
daughter,knowing she was doing well, and it was only 7 weeks until they head home.
So parents if you get that chance and you have a Racer, go. It means the worldto
them and the experience can’t be duplicated.”
*And yes, if you were wondering I was the first to cry.
