About a month ago my parents came and visited me in South Africa for a week. We did ministry and went to sessions and worshiped together. It was amazing, and I thought it would be so cool for my parents to share their testimonies from the week. Y’all, we got wrecked, in the best possible way of course. My Dad just sent me this today, and everything in it I’m hearing about for the first time. I hope it makes you as excited as it made me. So here is my Dad’s story- you’re not even ready:
“Last month, my wife, Leigh, and I had the privilege of going on a Parent Vision Trip to South Africa to see our daughter, Lillian. I was so excited to finally see her and hug her for the first time in six months that I could hardly focus on anything else in the days leading up to our departure. Of course, I packed and unpacked multiple times making sure I had everything I needed plus any supplies she had asked me to bring. One of my main concerns was I did not want to get sick with malaria, dengue fever, or any of the various food borne illness you are exposed to when traveling to Africa. So, I made sure I was prepared to deal with anything that came my way. Everything was covered and nothing was left to chance so I could make sure this trip was the best it could possibly be and that nothing would distract me from visiting and loving on my daughter.
In preparation for the trip, parents were asked to read Kingdom Journeys by Seth Barnes. As I read through the chapters something became very unsettled deep within me but I was not going to let anything stand in the way of my trip so I suppressed those feelings best as I could. For those of you who know me, sharing my feelings is not my strong suit anyway. But I continued to feel very unsettled as the trip approached and I became increasing agitated and stressed out. I attributed my emotional state to worrying about missing work and the financial pressures that brings plus I did not have time to explore what I was feeling.
The long-awaited day finally arrived and we spend the next twenty hours traveling, including a short sixteen-hour plane ride to South Africa. This was my fifth time to Africa and it had that old familiar feeling to me; It was like being reunited with a friend you love very much but haven’t seen in a long time. As we sat around the hotel pool that first night, I shared with Leigh some of what had been stirring within me the last few weeks. I think I freaked her out a little bit when I told her I felt like I was being called to doing something else with my life, like maybe God was calling me to move to Africa and become a missionary. We talked for hours but I only felt slightly more at peace and I just resolved to enjoy the trip and our time together. We loved exploring Johannesburg and we learned so much about how South Africa’s history parallels so much of our history in the U.S. Great time but I never need to go back to Joburg.
I cannot explain the excitement and anticipation I felt as we loaded on a bus with all the other parents to finally join our racers. It had been six months and Lillian had grown so much in our time apart so naturally I was apprehensive about how the reunion would go. Would it be as good as I had imagined? As she ran and jumped into my arms, my heart almost exploded with happiness. I couldn’t imagine loving anything or anyone more than what I felt in that moment. (To my other kids, I would feel the same way if it were any of you, I was visiting). We spent the next few days, talking, worshipping, singing, shopping, loving, and just reconnecting. I will forever cherish that time together and it changed my life.
So, what did I find in South Africa you ask? A new life. Before you think I hit my head or contracted some exotic illness, let me explain. I have tried to live a Christian life and teach my children Christian values. I have attended church most of my life, served on committees, done mission work, and I was even ordained as an elder but something was different about this trip. I realized I didn’t really know God and I had never truly given my life to him. As I sat and listen to my daughter’s squad mates, give their testimonies, I had to confess (but only to myself) that I didn’t have a personal relationship with God. I didn’t read the bible, rarely prayed, God was second to my family, and most would say my actions reflected everything but the love of Christ. On two separate occasions, we were asked if anyone would like to give their life to Christ and I felt like God was calling me (nudging me, pulling me, whatever you want to call it) to give my life to him. But I resisted him out of fear, shame, guilt, embarrassment, and many other human emotions. I didn’t share this with my wife or daughter but I knew I was living a lie. I watched in amazement at how so many of the parents and racers were living their faith. These were some of the happiest, most humble, loving people I have ever been around and I could see God’s love in them.
Well, the week flew by and too soon it was time to say our goodbyes and embark on another twenty- seven-hour journey home. But that unsettled feeling I had before the trip was now as if someone had ripped out my heart. I knew the answer but I was afraid to give up my old life; it wasn’t so bad after all. I have a beautiful family, successful career, my health, friends, worldly possessions and the list goes on and on. From a macro view it looked like I had everything a man could want or need. But a closer look revealed a proud, intolerant, often angry man with a troubled heart. I was not the man God created me to be and I was never at peace. Truth is, I really didn’t like myself that much because I knew I was not who I was supposed to be. I had resisted God’s calling for so long and I had long been afraid of what might happen if I totally submitted to his will. What would he call me to do? Would I have to give up my family? Friends? Career?
On March 4, 2019, I got the answer I was seeking. God wanted my life, not part of it, but all of it. As I prayed to him as I never had before, I asked him to take my life. I gave it to him completely because what I was doing wasn’t working that great. And as I prayed for the Holy Spirit to enter my heart, I felt peace like never before. The kind of peace that only God can provide. It covered me like a warm blanket and I felt him welcome me home. My old self was dead and he had given me a new life, a better life. One where God is above all else and central to everything I do. I now start my days reading scripture and praying that I may bring his light into this broken world. I know this is the beginning of a life long journey and I have a lot to learn but I’m no longer running from him but to him. Who knows where this life will take me and what God will call me to do but I will follow, even if it means going to Africa to become a missionary.”
Wow. How awesome is my Dad! I had been praying for PVT for months, but like usual, the Lord completely exceeded all my expectations. I could never have imagined the life change just one week together could produce. To me, this is a story of how the Lord never stops chasing us down. He desperately wants us to not just believe in him, but to really know him. It’s all about relationship. I knew the World Race would change me, but I had no idea the impact it would have on my family. I am so incredibly thankful for that week I had with my parents. It was so sweet. Just the sweetest. I will probably read this blog a thousand times and still cry every time. I just can’t express how happy I am that my Dad now knows the insane love of the Lord just like I do. It’s the greatest love we will ever know. I hope this encouraged someone today 🙂
P.S. thanks Dad, I love you. See you soon
