Dear World Race Parents,
This blog is for you, especially my M-Squad (3rd Generation). It was so great to get to meet all of you who were able to come to either Launch and/or PVT. It was great getting to know the people who made the child that I have had the privilege of getting to know and serving alongside of these past 8 months.
I wanted to share the letter of blessing that was read over you while you were at PVT.
Parents,
What did it take to get you all here? Time off work, kids farmed out, house sitters, pets boarded, parents taken care of, purchasing tickets, packing small luggage, navigating international travel, passports, shots, medicines- all of this is sacrifice-all of this is abandoning the familiar…just like your racers did, only your motivation is different than theirs, at least in part.
Love is what drew you to Ecuador. Love for the child you birthed and raised. So many things had to be aligned for you to make this trip but you did it because of love…a desire to understand your racer better and to see them in their element…a desire to see how God is working in them and through them.
In the process you have started your own journey…abandonment…even for 1 short week has changed your view. Some of you have experienced your hearts breaking in new ways. He has broken your hearts with what breaks his because you said yes. Little did you know when you agreed to abandon your life for a week what God had in store for you. It is no accident that he used an eye clinic in Quito to open your eyes to SEE. It wasn’t a mistake that you found his love at VBS in the faces of Ecuadorian children. He is the one who pulled your heartstrings in ways you couldn’t have foreseen. And now, as you, try to return to normal, he is going to continue his work in your lives.
He is speaking life to you. Life and renewal and revival. He is speaking grace and mercy and compassion over you. As you begin a new relationship with your adult children he is establishing something new…heart to heart communication, truthfulness, forgiveness, healing and openness. He is giving this blessing to you…the parents.
He is not finished with you yet. He has created you, just as you are with experiences, skills, and talents for this next season of life. He will stir you from the inside out. He is doing it even now. He will empower you for his work. He will give you his vision. He will speak to you in shouts and in whispers. He will lead you on treasure hunts in your own daily life. He will place you in the paths of those who need him. You will be his light, to the nations and to your neighborhood. He will use you and provide living water and the bread of life to those who are thirsty and hungry. These things he will do. Watch and see. Look for him daily and he will show himself strong.
If you are broken, no worries, he will pour his oil of healing over you even as he uses you to reach others. Do not shrink back from the breaking for in the brokenness he uses the pieces to create a beautiful picture. His healing balm will fill the broken places until your heart is like a stained glass window that is illuminated from within.
He will bless your humble service and you will know dependence on him. You will know new boldness. You will speak his words on his behalf to those around you. You will be a representation of him to the world…all because of your children’s obedience to become followers and show you a new way.
Written by Michelle Gunnin, Parent Navigator for AIM PVT, Ecuador, August 2015
In what I am about to write, I am going to be bold and speak collectively to the parents on behalf of us as your children:
– I hope that you know how much it meant to us that you would venture out of your normal, daily lives for a week, and come spend time with us across the world and to get a small taste of what our lives have been like these past 7-8 months.
-I pray that you continue to seek the Lord and his will for your life.
I pray that you allow the Lord to continue the work that began in you during this trip.
-I pray that you know that we desire to be known by you and for you to allow us to know you better as well.
-I pray that you continue to keep us in your prayers as we will do the same for you.
I’d love to hear from all of you and if you have anything specific you’d like prayer for at any time, feel free to reach out and let us know.
From the bottom of my heart,
Misha
