My mom, along with about 34 other parents, joined us on the field for a week to experience what life on the Race is like for us Racers. We call this the “Parent Vision Trip,” or “PVT” for short. I asked my mom to write a post about her experience, and here is what she had to say:
I’ve been home for a couple of weeks now and getting back into my regular life routine and I am still on a spiritual high reflecting on the PVT experience in Quito, Ecuador.
The “community” I so enjoyed serving with is now scattered to wherever they call home. I will most likely never see all the parents again, but I can still pray for them as I enjoy seeing their Racers in pictures and reading their blogs. This is the reason I took many pictures of the Racers and their parents together, so I would know who belonged to whom after PVT.
The mission work we did simply brought joy to me as we all worked together with happy hearts. I learned very quickly that a picture taken of Ecuadorian children meant an instant friendship bond between them and me. Even with the elderly when we served in the nursing home liked seeing their picture on my phone. I don’t know Spanish but a warm smile given, a touch to their hand, or a gentle hug was an internationally accepted language and I had plenty of it to share.
I gave a little girl [with special needs] who might have been 10 years old a lot of attention one day. She could walk with my help, but didn’t say a word all day. Her hands stayed in front of her chest with her fingers entwined together. I talked to her and hugged her a lot and prayed for her. I helped her eat, and then I brushed her teeth. I held her to my chest and rocked, and sang gently. I laid her down to sleep and lay next to her gently massaging her head and humming to her. She fell asleep and I left her. I continue to wonder what her little mind thought when she woke up and I was gone; no one there to hold her or sing to her.
In the mornings when I first left the room where I slept, I’d see many parents and Racers scattered around the property having their quiet time with God. The scenery of Quito and the mountains was beautiful, but seeing so many people growing in their walk in God made the scene I was enjoying so much more fabulous.
I loved the praise and worship we had every day, especially when each Racer shared a testimony of what God has been doing in their lives on this WR or just whatever they wanted to share with all of us. It made me love the Racers more when they were so open to us.
My absolute favorite part of my PVT experience was spending time with my beautiful daughter, Kristin. There wasn’t anything in Ecuador competing with my time. All of me was focused on spending time with Kristin, serving God together.
We also had some free times. One of those times we were with Anna Lauren and her parents. We rode in a taxi to where the younger soccer team was having practice. Imagine five of us in a taxi. There were four of us in the back seat and I sat on Kristin’s lap. This was the first time our roles were reversed. It was like a bookmark in my book of life.
We got to play soccer with the young team. I didn’t make a goal but I did kick the ball a few times and I really enjoyed being there.
Kristin and I enjoyed quality time together. We went shopping and sightseeing when our mission work was completed for the day. I was really impressed how well she could get us on and off of the right city busses and taxis, speak to the waitress when we ate out, and to the merchants as we shopped. She took some Spanish in high school, but despite the years that have passed since then, she was bold to speak out in the Spanish language that she has learned since being on the WR. (You’re awesome Kristin! I pray you have the same boldness to share Christ with those that God puts before you these last three months. I love you!!)
