One week ago, the time I had been awaiting since I said goodbye to my parents eight long months ago had finally come. Parent Vision Trip, or PVT, had officially started and I was excited to have my parents experience a wee taste of my race and see how the Lord had been changing my heart through this crazy journey. And boy, was it an incredible week, filled of growing, stretching and newness for my family and parents. So I thought what better way to let you guys get a glimpse into this life-changing week than to hear from my parents. So this written by my very own mother, Vicki Callahan, with a few comments from dad throughout. Enjoy!:)
WOW!!! What an awesome week, experiencing first-hand being a racer on the World Race with Meghan. Pete and I had the privilege of participating on her team for five days recently in Ireland with AIM's " Parent Vision Trip" after 8 months of her being gone.
“After 8 long months, we would have traveled to the ends of the earth to see her!!!”
–Dad
It was a tremendous week of worshipping and praising God, a week of learning and emotions, a week of "stepping out" of comfort zones, a week of stretching our faith as total dependence on God was necessary. It was an incredible week I will never forget!
Upon arrival to the big city of Dublin, the parents were escorted to our living quarters for the week – a hostel along the river. Inside, first glance brought back memories of summer camp … community showers and many rooms with bunk beds. Pete and I were shown our room of 16 bunk beds with a 2' x 3' pullout crate under each bed to house our belongings. Such close coed living really challenged our comfort level as sleep deprivation became more prevalent with each passing day. Little sleep was had by all due to "extremely loud" snoring by at least five roommates, late night conversation with much laughter while lying in our bunks, early morning alarms to scurry us to showers since each day started by 8:00 a.m. From day one, many parents wondered if we could make it six more days at the hostel. The temptation of lounging in a nice hotel room was in all of our minds. However, also on day one, we became acutely aware of how strong our racers had become in adapting to living arrangements that met their needs and not their wants. We parents had already seen how God had provided for their needs during the past eight months. Who were we to question Him about meeting our needs? We knew He would, so we all stayed in the Abbey Court Hostel for the entire week.
“We had a number of memorable moments during PVT but one stood out as my favorite. Meghan and I stayed up late one night and we had almost 2 hours of one on one father/daughter time. After 8 long months, nothing beats quality time with your daughter!!!! Of course, I paid for this time dearly as I was the last one in the room and the orchestra of snoring was in full force!!”
– Dad
And what a fantastic week! It could not have been better! Many new friendships were solidified among racers and parents. Breakfast and PB&J lunches in the dining area, worship and praise sessions in the basement bar area, breakout sessions to witness in parks, coffeehouses, pubs and to the homeless were daily rituals. And the weather was unusually perfect for Ireland … little rain, much sunshine. Warm and inviting hospitality from friendly Irish people. What a perfect place to spend time with Meghan, catching up and experiencing the race world with her.
As I mentioned above, the week was saturated with immense learning and intense awakening on my part as I watched my daughter and the racers worship and witness to others.
“To say I was out of my comfort zone, would be an understatement! I am comfortable discussing my faith when asked but I have never been comfortable bringing up the subject. “
– Dad
Each day started with praise, worship, and prayer. The racers gave testimony after testimony of events that had taken place over the previous eight months of their journey. Some events were good; some events were bad, but through them all, they could see God's presence, love, protection and guidance. These happenings were God-ordained moments to stretch and secure our racers trust in God. They will forever be etched in their minds for these moments grew our racers to maturity in their faith. What a blessing for me to hear these stories first-hand from the racers and to see God working in their lives. As most racers said, they set out on this journey to share God's love with others only to be immeasurably blessed themselves.
I learned many things during this week but one thing that continually resonates in my mind is that God wants us to boldly and confidently show His love to everyone, no matter where we are. Our racers are doing just that to people all over the world. They are "planting seeds" to expand God's kingdom by modeling Christ's love for the people they cross paths with on their journey. They are boldly talking with people about Jesus. They are "planting seeds" for God's kingdom and then God follows up with growing them. For example, World Race teams are launched continually throughout the year to continue growing seeds that have been planted. God is always at work putting people and events in place to further His kingdom. God vividly stressed to me that to those of us at home, we are still called to show God's love to people in our own backyard and community. We are still called to "plant seeds" no matter where we are – work, school, etc. My daughter Meghan may be a missionary around the world but I am called to be one at home.
I have watched Meghan's maturity in her walk with Christ multiply greatly over the past three years. When God called her to step out in faith to participate in The World Race, she obeyed. She could have come up with excuses to say no, but her desire to follow God's plan for her life is much greater. I asked her prior to leaving Ireland if she was ready to come home or ready for the next three months the race would bring. Without hesitation she replied, "Excited to continue the race; not ready to come home just yet." I take comfort in her strong belief that this is where God wants her to be. Family can tell you that I was nervous about the whole race thing when she first told us about it. As soon as I saw she was obeying God's calling for her life, I immediately felt peace with it. God provided the peace I needed to let her go … to let her leave her family for so long, to go so far away. What a joy it is for me to watch her follow God and His will for her life. Meghan taught me much in just six short days. As I listened to her talk and pray with an elderly man named Daniel in a park, and as I watched her offer blankets and peanut butter sandwiches to the homeless while praying over them, and as I watched her play with Irish children at an Easter festival, I saw God's love pouring out of her. She looks into people's eyes and truly sees them. I thank God for her heart, for her desire to please Him, for her willingness and obedience to follow wherever He leads, no matter the sacrifice. For she knows, to be where God wants her to be is most important and fulfilling. Oh, what I can learn from her example!
“On the first day, we met a man named Daniel who was feeding the pigeons in the park. The pigeons were perched on his arm as he fed them out of his hand. Daniel was well spoken and had a big smile as he talked about the pigeons and how he cared for them. He explained that he was in Ireland getting treatment for a unique type of hemophilia. Meghan boldly asked if she could pray for him and Daniel agreed although he warned he did not believe in God. Meghan prayed over Daniel in a sweet, beautiful, straight from the heart prayer. Daniel was clearly touched by the gesture and he thanked Meghan for her sincere concern. I was struck by Meghan's confidence and boldness in her conversation and prayer. WOW! She had really grown over the past 8 months!! We had opportunities to minister to others but our conversation with Daniel really stood out to me and it set the tone for the rest of the week.”
– Dad
I love Meghan so, so much and am very proud to be her mother. What a priceless week in Ireland to be treasured forever. Thanks be to God!
“This whole week, I was so blown away and impressed with the passion, commitment, and talent of these young men and women who have been sharing the love and hope of Jesus Christ around the world!”
– Dad
