If anyone had suggested that my parents would EVER go to India at any point, ever, I would’ve probably laughed at them. Like, belly laughed. They would’ve laughed too. Because it would’ve been a joke. For sure.
Even after they found out that I was doing the race and that India was our PVT location, my dad was praying for a location change.
However, on March, something, 2018, my parents flew all the way from Columbus, Ohio, to Hyderabad, India. To experience a piece of what my life has looked like for the last 9 months.
Real talk- I was apprehensive about my worlds colliding, tbh.
Would my parents be proud of who I am now? Would they be confused? Is who I am now actually who I’m supposed to be or am I just this way in the context of the WR? Would they be able to handle India at all? Would I be able to handle them in India? Would my squad-fam like my parents?
One of the many gifts that came from the week was being able to see my own growth, their growth, and growth within V-squad super clearly.
To show them my growth in everything from spiritual maturity, to leading within the squad, to hailing a tuktuk and negotiating at the market.
To see their growth in trusting the Lord, especially trusting Him with me and my life. They grew a lot in their ability to attempt to be chill in the midst of a huge culture shock, jet lag, and a ton of newness.
To see our squad rock it out at ownership and really making our PVT special and unique. To see teammates step up in new ways- it was super encouraging and awesome!
Many people on our squad expressed a desire for our parents to get more of a WR experience at PVT since Hyderabad, India is ‘fairly westernized.’ That was before they arrived… At least for my parents idk if they could’ve handled it. (lol I know you could’ve but you may have taken me back with you)
It was truly a gift to be able to look at the race through my parents wide-eyes heading into month 9. I was reminded of many things that have become super normal over time.
I.e.
* Driving on the other side of the road
* 100% of drivers ignoring 100% of traffic guidelines
* sheer masses of people
* trash on the side of the road
* throwing toilet paper in a trashcan instead of flushing (or having tp at all)
* Bartering for anything you want to buy
* Dealing with exchange rates and other currency
* Eating meals with your hands
* Adventures that include monuments from countries you may never return to
* Once in a lifetime opportunity after once in a lifetime opportunity
* Constant community
* A group of young adults who are running alongside me after the same things
* A community I can trust with anything
* A community I can trust to push me towards the Lord at all costs
* A community I can worship with, pray with, be vulnerable with
* These people are my family
And this is only a small handful of examples.
My parents were troopers and I’m really grateful that they came out in support and to reconnect after so many months. It’s really encouraging to know that my parents are awesome and they are chasing after the Lord back home.
PVT 10/10 would recommend!
Dad, when are you moving to India, again?
