My father got the oppertunity to come visit me for a week a few weeks back to serve along side me in Guatemala. Here’s what he wrote about his experience!
As I sit here and gather my thoughts about the Guatemala PVT trip – all I can say is “thank you”. Thank you to Jordan for asking me to go on this amazing trip. Thank you to her brother Michael for pushing me…making it nearly impossible to say no! Thank you to my wife Jena for allowing me to go even though i know she would rather have traveled with me to see our daughter. And, a very special thank you to the amazing people who coordinated the trip and ministered along side all 48 or so parents to make sure we had a flawless and enjoyable trip. Thank you to Guatemala…for having coffee…lots of coffee. Coffee is a great way to force two people to sit down and talk. Jordan and I had a lot of coffee. Thank God for coffee.
I have to be honest, when PVT was suggested to my wife and I at launch back in September the two of us said, “no thanks”. We felt the World Race was our daughter’s time and she should experience it all without parental interference. Besides, the logistics of coordinating time off, financial implications, finding someone to watch Jordan’s older brother John who has CP and working around our very busy work schedules felt nearly impossible for us to even think about going. Boy were we wrong. God had other plans.
So, the time came. Jordan reached out to see if we could go. Logistically, it was very bad timing for both of us to travel. Unfortunately, I had a project that historically fell during the week of PVT – even if I wanted to go, I was already committed to work. But, on the chance that the project wasn’t going to happen I decided to ask the PVT coordinators for an extension to sign-up. We prayed and asked God to help us make a decision on whether or not I should go. Then nearly 1 month before PVT, I found out that the project was canceled – which honestly never happens! At that point I knew I had to go – no matter what.
I was heading off to Guatemala to visit Jordan and her friends! This was her squad’s last stop along her Gap Year journey. It was going to be a new experience for the parents and all the racers. I’ve never been to Central America and didn’t know what to expect. But, I heard there was plenty of coffee!
After I landed in Guatemala, the bus took us to Antigua – 30 miles west of Guatemala City. The small city of Antigua is beautiful. It’s a place where cultures blend and feels as though time stood still from the 18th century. There are plenty of great places to eat and plenty of coffee shops to enjoy. The cobblestone streets are so beautiful and and locals wear and sell their handmade clothes along the route. There are three volcanoes that can be seen in the distance and one is active with smoke coming out!
During our five day stay, we had planned three 1/2 days of ministry work. I was privileged to work alongside my daughter Jordan and her team mates – serving the Guatemalan people. Seeing how they lived was such a humbling experience. We were able to go into families homes and install new stoves and water filters. On our first day we were blessed to throw a small party for the kids in the village. We shared our faith with them as they learned about the new additions to their homes. They have so little, yet they are so grateful. It made me realize how thankful we should be with what we have. Thanking God everyday for little things he does in our life.
At night food was provided at the hostel and we participate in praise and worship led by our racers. This was particularly special as Jordan played her Glockenspiel among the instruments leading worship. I was also blessed to see how Jordan’s team interacted with each other. You could see genuine care and love for one other. These girls have been through so much. They unconditionally loved each other and it showed. It was wonderful to meet the parents and other fathers to discuss similar emotions upon seeing their young daughters living independently on their own. We laughed as we discussed how much they have grown since launch day and that in some ways they were now more independent and confident than us!
We were given a day off to do whatever we wanted. Jordan and I struggled to decide on what to do, but in the end we decided to explore Antigua. I was so glad we did. I wanted to soak up everything that Jordan would be experiencing during her last 10 weeks on the road. We attended the local church that Jordan is regularly attending. After service, we decided to attend a class at a local coffeehouse to learn how to roast coffee. This was something that Jordan loved to do. I enjoyed seeing her learn how coffee was roasted and brewed. The rest of the day was just strolling and talking. We ate, walked and shopped at the local markets. It’s not often that the two of us get to be alone to talk. I really enjoyed our time together just talking about anything and everything. God gave us a special time to talk and hear about her journey. Thank God for coffee.
God worked on Jordan and I during the trip. God not only gave us love and compassion in ministry to the people, but also an abundance of love to share with each other. This started transforming my heart through the Holy Spirit. I’ve been a Christian for a long time, but I often get stuck in the ways of the world and working. I’ve experienced times like this in the past where I’ve gone through “transforming” – but was often a one-time act. But, I’ve learned through this trip that God is all about transforming me every day. He heals and deals with me, even when I give up. God renews me every day. Psalm 51 10-12: Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me. Cast me not away from your presence, and take not your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and uphold me with a willing spirit”.
As a wrap up, I just wanted to say to you, Jordan…that I love you. And, thank you for asking me to join you on this trip to Guatemala. There was no other place that I’d rather be, but together with you serving God. I loved: meeting your friends and all the parents, seeing what your experience on the Gap Year is like, eating with you, laughing with you, haggling in the market with you, going to worship services with you, serving in the mission field with you, praying with you and watching you grow into such a beautiful woman – right before my eyes. Thank you for drinking coffee with me and talking about your journey. God is so good. He answers prayers-prayers that I prayed for you so many years ago when you were a baby, often as I was holding you in my arms when you needed to be held and comforted. I am so proud of you Jordan. I can’t wait until you come home so we can find a local coffee house and enjoy another cup of coffee. – I love you so much. DAD
