Dear Parents of racers on the field now or Parents of racers thinking/going through the application process. My lovely parents, who have been through the World Race process, took time to write specifically to you. I encourage you to read it, whether or not you have children on the field, and hear/see the truth about what its like to have your child on the field/growing up. I pray this encourages you.
Dear Mother of a Future Racer:
It is the end of your child’s Senior year of High School and everyone is planning on what their next steps will look like. Some go to college, some go to a trade school and some will come to you and say they want to take a GAP year. After the shock of that subsides your child will then tell you “Oh, and I want to join the World Race and travel all over the world for nine months!” You are now standing there numb with hundreds of different thoughts going through your head. How can my baby be off by themselves traveling all over the world. They will get sick and no one will be there to help them. They won’t eat, bathe or sleep properly. They will be so far away that if they cry out for help, I won’t be able to run into their room. No, this can’t happen. I need to have them by me and protect them.
Well let me tell you God has a better plan and it is so much bigger and better for your child than you can even imagine. Once your child embarks on this journey you better sit back and enjoy the ride because your life will be changing as well. Your child is going to be surrounded by God fearing and loving kids who just want to head out into the world and help people. After you leave launch and your child the tears will eventually stop and you might start receiving texts and phone calls from them not only being tired, but an excitement in their voices that you have never heard before. Your child will meet some wonderful people through the World Race. They will remain friends with people all over the world. Your child will develop a relationship with God that you will envy and you will wish for that same relationship with Him. Your child will have so many opportunities and life changing events that they would never be able to have if it weren’t for this Gap year. They will come back stronger and wiser. I know as Moms we are always trying to fix and be in control of our children. Throughout their lives we have raised our children to be independent in everything they do. Well when they decide to join World Race they are doing exactly that. My favorite verse got me through these nine months.
Philippians 4:6-7 Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Everyone kept asking me how can you let your child do this? My response was how can I not let them do this? I know God’s plan was bigger and better than anything I could plan so I had to trust and have faith and stand beside her and watch what that was. Will you miss your child? Absolutely!! But you will find yourself praying with them and for them forever – no matter where they are.
I Thessalonians 5:16-18 Be joyful always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.
Dear Father of a Future Racer:
I’m not going to lie, it hasn’t always been easy, nor were we 100% on board from the beginning. When our 18 year old daughter told us she wanted to go on a 9 month “gap year” mission trip across the globe, I was skeptical. In the early planning stages, there were a lot of unanswered questions – How much will it cost? How will they keep you safe? (As a father, we are entrusted to be the provider and protector, so this is where my mind goes). Our daughter reassured me on both counts – she would raise all of the funds she needed and AIM was incredibly safe.
While attending “Launch” in Atlanta, I was blessed to meet many other dads with the same fears. I was also comforted by the professionalism of the AIM organization which answered any and all concerns. We also met a fabulous group of girls that our daughter was blessed to share life and ministry with for nine months. I have no doubt many will be friends for life. We were also fortunate to be able to spend a week with our daughter doing ministry during the Parent Vision Trip. It was amazing to see how the Lord is working in and through these young adults. She has now returned to the field to lead the next group of young women in one of the latest races.
In the end my daughter raised the needed funds, stayed safe, and grew in her relationship with the Lord and I learned that her Heavenly Father is her true Provider and Protector. What more could a dad ask for?
