I just got to see my parents for the first time in 7 months. Holy mess THAT was weird. I had almost forgotten that they were more than just a face on a FaceTime call.
But yes. My parents. In India. For a whole week. These are the people who know me in all of my many many flaws and love the mess out of me anyway. They sacrifice so much for me, my sister and each other. What I was reminded of this week was how truly selfless they are. I watched them give all that they had to the people of this Hmar community and it was incredible. Something that has constantly stuck in my mind over these last 7 months is a question Jenna Rose asked me in month 1, “Has your World gotten bigger yet?”
And I can tell you it definitely has. But I think it was particularly special to see my mom and dad’s World grow larger just as mine was.
“God made my world bigger on Easter Sunday when we went to the Evangelical Free Church of India for Easter Service. I saw everyone dressed in their Sunday best. I was being greeted with handshakes, waves, and many ‘Happy Easter’ from the church members. It felt familiar, but I obviously I knew I was on the other side of the globe in a foreign land and hearing a language I did not know, but we all were universally celebrating the Resurrection of Christ. It felt surreal and the world felt big, much bigger than I could have imagined before.” – Spencer Sappington
“It was such an amazing experience to see all God is doing in the community. One way I was impacted during my visit was to be reminded that no matter where you are on earth and even though the conditions are much different than we see back home, people are really the same. I loved watching parents interact with the children and could tell family and children are very important. One of the sweetest examples of how people in the community care for each other was when we were at one of the schools. One of the little boys fell and started to cry. I was so touched by the 4-5 other boys that rushed over to help him up and dust off his clothes. I also saw that even across the world we are all dealing with similar issues such as pain, illness and addictions and need God’s healing power. I am truly grateful for this opportunity which gave me a deeper understanding that we are all connected through our creator. His love for us all is miraculous!” – Donna Sappington
And as for me? My world got bigger when my two worlds collided: my World Race World that has looked like bucket showers and being asked for a selfie every few feet and my “normal life” looks like watching a movie really late at night with my parents. Next thing I knew it I was showing my mom where the bucket showers were and coaching her on how to use the squatty potty. Don’t worry we also stayed up super late watching The Office so not much has changed there. I remember so vividly a moment that my World grew twice it’s size. I had met a girl only a few days earlier who lived along my walk to breakfast. I stopped to pet her dog and talk to her for a little bit. So once my parents got to the field, we were all walking to breakfast together and met that very same girl and her pups. My dad got down to pet the pups and speak to the girl. A woman came out of her house and greeted my mom. She didn’t bother to speak to me but went immediately to my parents. I watched as she shook their hands and beamed with joy. My mother and this Hmar mother were just meeting one another in the middle of a side street in Manipur India. That sounds like my normal but usually my Ministry memories don’t include my parents. And in that moment… they were there crossing into my World Race World.
When I was at home I allowed my World to stay small. There were ways and oppurtunities that I could have let it grow but I continued to say no. Why would I want a bigger world? That’s not safe. Nobody likes to feel small, meaningless, and powerless. I knew that I liked my little World and what status I had in it. But man, I am so glad I said yes to letting it get a little bit bigger. Because there is something to be said about the humbleness you exsperience when you are so small and dependent. When you allow yourself to shrink so that the world around you can grow in wonder and majesty; the small things in life actually become more beautiful and meaningful to your wide eyed heart.
so much love to all of you who have been holding out for a new update! Keep loving Big!
