In case you didn’t know, I got to see my parents this month for the first time in 234 days.
That is because sometime usually around month 7/8/9, the World Race hosts whats called ‘PVT’, Parent Vision Trip, a week where parents get to come and partner in what their children are doing and learning on the Race.
This can be a time of healing, growth, unity, and above all a time of renewed focus and commitment to the Lord both for parents and Racers.
My PVT was the beginning of this month, it was amazing and something that was super powerful for me and my family. As I was thinking about how to talk about this experience, I realized that it is not just mine to tell, it was my family’s. SO- here is a blog co-written by my family about our experience at PVT.
DIANE:
What were your expectations for PVT?
I expected that we would have a great time hanging out with our racer! I was anxious to see how Morgan has grown and changed over the past 8 months. While she has grown more confident and closer to the Lord, I was happy that it felt comfortable and wonderful to be together, just like she had never left.
What was it like to do ministry as a Family?
It was wonderful to work as a family and partner with the great organizations who are daily ministering to the people of Quito. I saw the impact that our few hours of work could have on the ministries and felt that our efforts of cleaning, preparing food and painting provided needed services at no cost to the ministries. I loved watching Morgan and Paul play soccer with the kids at Covi. It was a great way to have fun and connect with the kids.
What did you learn about Morgan?
Morgan shared some things that helped me understand her better. I learned that she is strong and wise and fully trusting in the Lord. It was a wonderful time of openness and vulnerability that I did not expect. I am so glad we had the opportunity to be open and honest with each other in a way that we might not have if we had not been on PVT.
How did you see God this week?
It was amazing to see the hearts of the racers and the work that God is doing in each of them. I was encouraged by their stories and their willingness to be transparent and vulnerable with each other and their parents. I saw God save a soul and provide a job. I felt like God was telling me that I can trust him. I have been encouraged to walk closer with the Lord and to enjoy his presence each day.
PAUL:
What were your expectations for PVT?
To see our daughter and to experience the same cultures and environments they are encountering as they perform their mission task.
What was it like to do ministry as a Family?
It was terrific having everyone on the same unifying page serving the Lord via their mission duties. It allowed us all to appreciate and understand the task we all were performing and to see the same needs of the people. It probably opened up the dialogue better between racers and parents because of the common bond.
What did you learn about Morgan?
While we were already aware of her passion for missions, PVT week allowed Morgan to open up to us more than ever before. We learned that she had been bullied in the past (and was afraid of involving/worrying us) and that a previous Minister at church was very influential in shaping her Christian beliefs beyond what we were already doing. We also witnessed budding confidence that this journey has brought her.
How did you see God this week?
I saw it in the eyes of those truly in need and our efforts to respond to those needs via attention, love and financial giving. It put a greater sense of empathy in our hearts so that we could become greater servants. I also saw it nightly in the worship hosted by the kids and the openness in which we prayed for one another. Tears and laughter were common. God allowed a community of believers to come together safely and successfully so that our faith could be stronger than ever! We were all energized.
Morgan:
What were your expectations for PVT?
My expectations of PVT were pretty non-existent. I knew that It was going to be really cool to see my parents, but I didn’t really think much about what that would practically look like- until about a week before. In the week leading up to PVT I really started to overthink what it would be like. Part of me feels so different from the person who left home, and part of me feels the same. I was anxious about whether or not my parents would be able to see a change in me, I was anxious about how it would be in interact with them after being apart for so long. I was excited to have a space to talk about life and different things but I was also just nervous because I had build up this idea of what it would be like in my mind. All of that changed the second my plane landed in Quito. My team can tell you, I cried all the way through customs and security, not because of nervousness, but because of overwhelming excitement.
What was it like to do ministry as a Family?
Doing ministry as a family was just like every other day of the Race, but with a different perspective placed on it. It was fun to watch my parents experience what I have done for my ‘day job’ for the past few months. It was also cool and really encouraging to see my parents living out their faiths and serving the ministries that we were partnering with.
What did you learn about your parents?
Through my journey to the Race and PVT I have been able to witness my parents love for the Lord and their generosity first hand. I feel like I have seen both of their relationships with the Lord in a new light and it has been my favorite part of getting to see them. I know that I am blessed to come from a family that is so rooted in the Lord.
How did you see God this week?
God showed me a lot about how I handle pain and vulnerability. I learned about boundaries and walls that I put up that kept me from being able to open up and receive love from those around me. I learned that speaking hard things into the light is important and worth while.
Here are some videos from our time at PVT!
That’s all folks!
Much Love,
Morgan (Diane and Paul)
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