To all World Race parents:

You knew when we signed up for the World Race that it
wasn’t going to be easy for us.  It wasn’t
going to be easy as we traveled to 11 different countries throughout the world,
away from everything and everyone that was familiar.  You knew we would get homesick.  You knew we would have to miss birthdays and
holidays as well as important events like weddings and births.  You knew our living conditions weren’t going
to be all that great.  You knew there was
a risk of us getting malaria or typhoid or any number of crazy sicknesses.

But did you know it wasn’t going to be easy for you?  You had to sit back and wait month after
month for emails that said we made it safely out of one country and into another…some
of those being closed countries which we illegally entered.  You had to celebrate birthdays and holidays
without your son or daughter.  You had to
hear of us living in cement rooms in the intense heat with no electricity or
sleeping in our tents during torrential rain and wind and not be able to do
anything about it.  You had to hear of us
getting sick and going to sketchy hospitals, praying that God would heal
us.  You had survive with 11 months of
sporadic internet, never knowing if Skype was actually going to work or how
many days or weeks would go by without hearing from us.
 
 (my dad had to read Twas the Night Before Christmas to me via Skype this year)

 

I read this quote recently:

“The church in America needs parents who are willing to
release their children to the mission field. 
We need parents who love God more than their children.  If we recognize the importance of evangelism,
we will encourage future generations to give their lives for God and enter the
heat of the battlefield even in the face of great danger.”

So I just wanted to write a blog thanking all of you
parents out there (especially my own) for obeying God and releasing us to do
His work.  I know it hasn’t been easy for
you but I know God will bless you for your faith.  You have encouraged us, prayed for us, and
loved on us throughout this entire journey and that means more to us then we
can ever put into words.  I hope you know
how much we love and appreciate you.

Thank you.  

And to all J & K-Squad parents…we’ll see you all in
32 days!