I figured I would ask both of my parents that were able to come to Thailand to tell you about their experiences. Both of them together would be too long, so since it’s close to Mother‘s day, I’ll start with my mom’s! Tune in in a few days for my step-dad’s perspective!
“I applied for the World Race,” said Dani. My mind instantly races, I know what that is, it is almost a year long. NOOOOOO!!!!!! My mind screams, YOU CAN’T DO THAT!!!! I can’t go that long without seeing you. What if something happens to you???? I won’t have any idea if you are okay. WAIT……I can’t say no. What if I am interfering with the call of God on her life?? I can’t do that, I have to trust God in this…….
“Well,” I reply, “How much does it cost to do the race?”
“$17,000,” she replied. What was I worried about?? There is no way she can come up with that much, I think to myself.But, what if this really is what God is calling her to do?? DEEP BREATH…….
“I guess this is really the best time in your life to do it,” I hear myself saying.
Fast forward 6 months. My husband, Brandy and I are in Georgia at the World Race Launch. Ready, but not ready to send Dani off on this adventure for 11 months called the World Race. Who was I to doubt what God was doing in her life??? We learned more about the organization during this time of parent sessions and my fears of her safety were relieved. We also learned about the PVT- Parent Vision Trip, where we could actually go and join Dani in some other country. Hope stirs in my heart at such an opportunity! We left and headed back to Texas, while my baby girl headed off to Kosovo.
As the race actually began, I followed blogs of the racers. Time and time again I saw how God was moving each of their lives. How He was supernaturally directing their paths and providing visible answers to their prayers when they were at a crossroad, closed doors, or at a loss of where to go next. It was exciting for me to read about all the times God showed up and they witnessed Him in action. KNOWING it was God at work! I loved seeing the growth in each of them as their faith grew and they learned to serve others and die to their selfish natures. I was able to identify areas of my own life that I needed to work on from each of them.
Fast forward again to Saturday, April 21, 2018. Brandy and I are boarding a plane starting our journey to Thailand for this thing called Parent Vision Trip. We were both excited and nervous about this adventure. We planned a few extra days into the trip, so it would actually be Wednesday, the 25th, before we would see Dani. Upon arriving in Thailand, we took a cab to our hotel and got settled in. I sent Dani a text letting her know where we were staying. She asked me to send her a picture on maps showing our exact location. That is when we realized we were right across the way from Zion Hostel, where she was staying. From the 15th floor window of our hotel room, we were able to see her waving from the rooftop of the hostel. God is so good! In a huge city, He gave us a glimpse of her! Talk about blessing this momma’s heart!
Wednesday, at 1:00 pm, we checked out of our hotel. The hotel had called a cab to take us to the Lai Thai, where we would be staying for PVT. I knew it was within walking distance from us, however, the cab driver was taking the long way to get there. After a few min, I told Brandy that we had gone too far and we were going the wrong way. He finally got the driver’s attention, he had been taking us to the airport!!! We all had a good laugh and he got us back on track and we arrived right on time to see Dani!! What a great feeling it was to hug my daughter after such a long time!! PVT had officially begun!!
I had no idea what we would be doing, so I was ready for whatever I was told to do. After visiting and settling in, we walked to Zion Hostel and had a time together where we listened to some of the racers speak about what God had done in their lives, areas they had grown, and things they had learned. Again, I was able o recognize areas in my own life that I needed to grow, and to apply some of the concepts they were learning for myself. Daily, we had sessions like that where there racers shared with us what God had been doing within and through them while on the race. We had times of praise and worship and then ministry time on the streets of Chiang Mai. I was a little nervous about going into the Red Light District- just a couple of blocks from Zion. I mean I could talk to children about how much God loves them, but the thought of talking to those involved in the sex industry was a little daunting. We learned about prostitution in Thailand, where it isn’t legal, but overlooked. We went out in small groups and prayed over the area, specifically praying God would open other doors for these women to provide for their families, their safety, and that they would come to know the love and grace of Jesus. It was an eye opening experience. Seeing the boldness of these young adults made me realize I have been in my comfort zone in life- and that I needed to get out! One of my favorite experiences was going into the government housing area and playing with the kids. I wanted to see how the people actually lived and I felt very fortunate and blessed to be an American. Yet, these people who had so little had a peace about them and such gentle spirits.
Spending time with Dani and the other racers was so good! I absolutely loved seeing the growth in Dani with her relationship with the Lord and within herself. I am so glad that she not only heard God’s call to do this race, but that she was willing to lay aside her life as she knew it and step out in obedience. I walked away from PVT with my eyes opened to areas I need to grow in and deepen my relationship with God. I realized how easy it had been to get comfortable in my day to day life and doing my own thing, instead of seeking God and what He wants me to do. I left with a strengthened desire to grow more in the Lord and to diligently work on seeking and listening to what He has for me to do.
Who knew when God called Dani to the World Race, He was secretly calling me, too!
