What can I feel or say about being a World Race mom that has not already been felt or said?
A lot.
I am a two time World Race mom.
And I hear you thinking, “Who does that?”
Well, I do.
And my girls do.
My eldest, Joy, launched when she was 24 years old, fresh out of college with her teaching degree, in September, 2015.
And now…nearly two years to the day that Joy launched,
Her best friend,
And sister, Bethany,
Having just celebrated her 24th birthday, fresh out of college with two Engineering degrees,
Is off to make the world a better place.
And their younger brother and I
Are left to pick up the pieces of our saddened hearts.
And continue on.
Living lives in our own little world.
Replete with good jobs, nice homes, garden and store to table food, and the list goes on.
Joy has since married Nathan, who she met while on The World Race, in 2015, and they are happy living four hours away where he is a Youth Pastor and she is a special education teacher.
And life goes on.
Not that long ago, a young lady, comparable to Bethany’s age, visited my church and explained her upcoming long term mission trip to India. She was wonderful and well spoken, and although we hadn’t met in person, I knew of her and her wonderful family.
My take away was, “This young woman is called of God.”
I remember her handing me a blank snippet of paper.
On it, she handwrote, “Please pray for my family,” and said, “because you know firsthand what it’s like to send a daughter overseas. My family will miss me terribly.”
And she was right.
I won’t ever forget that conversation with Kimber, and I pray for her daily.
As I think of my daughter, Bethany, currently serving in Bulgaria, then Asia, Africa and finally the Dominican Republic,
I praise God that she, too, is ‘called.’
And ‘chosen.’
And that is all the comfort I need.
On days when my heart hurts from loneliness.
I remember.
Bethany is ‘called.’
She is doing EXACTLY what the Lord pre-destined her to do.
Before the beginning of time.
For such a time as this.
And I am comforted.
And happy.
And curious.
And I wonder if she really understands the magnitude of everything she, her team, and her squad are doing.
I remember when Joy left for Serbia in September, 2015. Although I was certain that she, too, was ‘called and chosen,’ I was concerned for her safety.
I really did not know much about this organization called Adventures in Mission, that Joy had randomly run across while googling.
Were they reliable?
Did they really have my daughter’s best interest at heart?
And most importantly, would she be safe?
Fast forward to August, 2017, and I know the answers to those questions, and to many more.
And they are all good.
But then again…..
Does it even matter?
I mean, if Bethany is called and chosen to be walking out God’s plan for her life on a global mission field, every answer to any and all of these questions should be sufficient and good.
God didn’t say, “Go into all the nations and preach the Good News, but only if you are going to be safe.”
He did NOT.
And I rest.
Knowing she is where she is supposed to be.
Do I miss her?
You bet.
Do I relish every single photo, face time and word she messages me?
Holy Smokes, YES!
And yet, I sleep well at night.
Knowing her journey of hope and salvation is being walked out in Eastern Europe.
Knowing she is in fantastic hands.
Jesus’.
Knowing that she and her team have meshed like 6 peas in a pod.
And I am happy.
As I read Bethany’s blogs, I think of how much she is growing.
Into herself.
In the Word of God.
In her walk with Jesus.
And into His Word made flesh.
And I am jealous.
I want to be a missionary overseas.
I’ve actually been called to be a missionary.
I thank God that He has yet to tell me to actually pack up my physical belongings and GO!
The thought is actually terrifying.
I’m not at all terrified of leaving my comforts of daily living, but rather of…
Dare I say it?
Having to get my financial support. I mean if I ever have to fundraise again, just shoot me.
Living paycheck to paycheck and yet having two daughters pursue their missionary callings via The World Race, has literally put me over the edge with fundraising.
Let alone, we are still fundraising for Bethany’s ‘calling.’
And then I remember.
If God calls me to it.
He will call me through it.
Just as He has for my girls.
Joy’s fundraising wasn’t nearly as daunting as Bethany’s. The finances came easier. We had told the Lord that if the financial support arrived, we would take that as a sign she should go.
Because, really…..raising thousands of dollars in a matter of a few months?
Really?
Well, it happened.
And off she went to change the world.
And she was changed in the process.
As well as each and every life she encountered.
And then came Bethany.
Not so easy.
I knew she was ‘called and chosen.’
And going on The World Race
No matter what.
But goodness gracious.
And then, on the day her first payment was due, and we were literally a couple thousand dollars short.
At 15 minutes before midnight, we were counting the change from the graduation fundraiser that her great friend and housemate had for her….
And she made it her first dollar amount.
Whew!
Step one. Check.
And then, as the garage sales, spaghetti dinners, more garage sales, speaking engagements, facebook sales, more speaking engagements, and eBay sales slowly came in,
She made her next deadline.
Step two. Check.
And then she launched.
And friends saw her need.
And one by one.
$10 here. $15 there.
She made her next deadline.
Step 3. Check.
And now, she’s almost there. I haven’t any doubt, she will make it.
Someone, we barely know donated $100.
And then someone we actually don’t know, but have come to know, donated $500.
And we continue to see God’s goodness.
Her piano sold this morning for $175.
YES!!!!!
That’s God!
It’s so exciting to see God working in all of our lives.
In Joy’s, as she is a constant source of encouragement for Bethany.
As she is reminiscing of her time on The World Race because she and her best friend they have parallel routes.
In Jonathan, as he is learning to navigate his senior year in college, without his #1 homework partner, cohort in crime and confidant.
And me.
As I realize that my daughter is doing exactly what her years of homeschooling, Missionettes, Junior Bible Quizzing, youth group, global and domestic mission trips, compassion and excellent living for Jesus has prepared her for
I smile.
Knowing ‘for such a time as this.’
She is changing the world.
One person at a time.
Thank so much for keeping Bethany and her team, Abiding Azar, and her entire X-Squad in your constant prayers.
As well as keeping each and every person they are called to minister to in your prayers.
I’d like to thank Bethany for allowing me post on her blog. She is greatly loved and missed here.
His for the Harvest,
Shari (aka mom)
