My team has safely and successfully reached Ciudad Vieja, Guatemala. I can’t wait to share with you how it is going once we get started! Don’t forget that I will be unreachable by call or text this year, so please contact me by email ([email protected]) or WhatsApp (804-614-6313).
This post was written by my mom, Beth Torres, about her experience at Launch this past weekend. Enjoy!!
I saw heaven this past weekend. I saw a room full of young people who had roots and were ready to spread their wings to fly around the world to share the love of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
I saw evidence of deep roots in the Racers and the Adventures in Missions staff and volunteers. They impressed me with their passion for missions and the Adventures vision. The volunteers gave up their weekend to come and ease the minds of parents experiencing anxiety about letting go of their precious children. They reminded us that our children belong to God first and He gave them to us to nurture in the Word until time to let them spread their wings and spread the Good News. Letting go is hard, but we are comforted in knowing that they go with God’s protection. (A friend shared Psalm 91 from the Message with me this morning. I recommend you read it as well).
Isaiah 40:31 states, “But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.” When we hold our children too tightly, they cannot soar. They become like a kite. Kites are tethered to a string and held down. Kites only soar as high as the string allows. As a parent, we want to keep our children within our sight and protection. When they’re little, that is appropriate. We are now setting our children free so that they can soar with wings like eagles with the Holy Spirit carrying them to new heights. For those of us who have a fear of heights (also read: “letting go”), I am reminded that the Bible says approximately 365 times, “fear not” or a version of it—one for every day of the year, or at least enough to last us until our children return! Read Psalm 91 now if you have not!
The roots we helped to grow deep will hold our children when the challenges come. On the “good” days, they can soar with no fear. We, along with the village that helped to raise our children, have done well. Now we release them for the Holy Spirit to guide their way. I know that God is going to do great works through them. I can’t wait to read their blogs about how good and faithful our God is. In the struggles and the challenges they will face, God is there. He will be with us as well, helping our roots to go deeper into the faith so that we too can soar on the wings like eagles! Of course the trauma nurse in me wants to ask if we need helmets and safety gear—I sometimes need reminding in whose hand my life rests!
Yes, I caught a glimpse of heaven last weekend. A room full of believers worshiping the Creator, Sustainer, and Savior. It’s too good not to share—with those around us and around the world!
