As I posted in my last blog, I wanted to use my next few blog posts to share my parents’ perspective of there time with me in Thailand. Today, I share with you a reflection from my mom.
Mom, thanks for facing fears time and time again to be a part of my life, and my ministry. You have always gone above and beyond to support my dreams, passions and adventures with Jesus. Love you so much!
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When Megan asked me to write a blog on my recent trip to Thailand for the Parent Vision Trip, I instantly thought, “where would I start?” How do you sum up an experience like that?
And then yesterday the following words I posted in 2016 popped up on my Facebook feed: “Keep watch. God answers prayer in unexpected ways.” I believed it to be a confirmation of what I experienced on this trip and therefore what I felt led to share.
Megan invited us to PVT before she even left for the Race back in October. While we would do our best to go, I was secretly hoping it would be in Nicaragua, where I’ve been numerous times and is a relatively short flight to get to. Alas, it was not to be. Instead, we were going to Thailand….half a world away and flying over SO MUCH WATER! Needless to say, my prayers for this adventure started there. I asked God to take away any fear and anxiety about all the logistics necessary to get to Thailand and help me focus on the reason I was going: to see and hug my daughter, catch up on her life, and join her in ministry.
Over the course of my life, I have lifted up so many prayers and God has been faithful to answer them in his own way and time. My above prayer was no different. He did replace my fears and anxiety with joy and anticipation. But more than that, I was once again reminded that God delights in listening to the prayers of our hearts and answering them in ways we don’t expect.
Prayer: for courage and perseverance on the longest flight ever (over water!)
Answer: Doug and I each had a row of 4 seats to ourselves to stretch out and rest. Wow! I could just feel God smiling and saying, “what do you think of that??” Then I peaked out the window at one point and witnessed the brightest snow covered hills and glaciers. Wait, where’s Hawaii and all that water?? We were actually flying over Canada, then down through Russia and China—land, not the Pacific. (Cue, another smile).
Prayer: that our time with Megan would be fruitful and meaningful
Answer: from the moment we had that first hug with our daughter, this prayer was answered tenfold. We had both engaging and fun conversations, spent quality time in ministry, and enjoyed an entire day of feeding and bathing elephants, white water rafting, and going ATVing in the jungle. Not only was our time with Megan just incredible, we got to know her new family in ways we didn’t expect. This community she has been doing life with these past 7 months are truly a group of loving, gifted, and inspiring young adults. Watching them interact with one another, lead worship, and engage total strangers with the Good News in ministry was simply amazing. I am so grateful Megan is on this journey with others who love Jesus just as much as she does.
Prayer: that I would be able to put into words the “Blessing letter” the organization was asking us to write to our Racer
Answer: after four hand written pages, I experienced such a joy thinking back over Megan’s life, and realizing the beautiful, Spirit filled woman she has become. While I looked forward to sharing this letter with her, I had no idea that Megan also prepared words she wanted to share with Doug and I. (Cue, tissues please). At the beginning of the Race, every racer was given a key with a word on it, specific to the racer. Megan’s word was Intimacy. Over the course of the Race, she has grown deeper in intimacy with Jesus. Her desire for me was to experience the same, and thus gave her key to me with the most heartfelt prayer that I would also know Jesus in a more intimate way. I will always remember this “Blessing” time with the three of us as the highlight of my experience in Thailand.
God has so much more for us than we can ever imagine when we put Him first and foremost in our lives. He loves us more, and wants more for us, than our finite minds can comprehend.
This trip reminded me to pray bigger, bolder, and more courageous prayers. And to expect that He will answer in unexpected ways. Ways that bring Him glory, and make me smile.
“But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” Matthew 6:33
