On August 29th of 2019, I was standing in knee-deep mud, holding hands with a small African child. My stomach was turning as I eagerly watched the road, each bus that appeared I looked at our host.
“Not yet”
“No, not this one”
I stood with 15 other racers as we waited to see our parents for the first time in nine months, they had taken the bold step and boarded a plane to Ethiopia to meet us where we were, in the dirt, in the beautify, in the country with rain, and joy and heartache.
“Here they come”
We all looked up and I couldn’t contain it, I turned away from the bus and started crying. It was real, a moment my parents and I had spoken about for over a year was finally here I was so overjoyed and emotional.
After a huge embrace with tears on everyone’s face, I spent 5 days serving with my parents. It was magical.
I was blessed to share part of my World Race world with my parents. As we sat around dinner one evening and the power went out (pretty normal for us ever since April). I immediately pulled out my phone stuck it under a water bottle and light our table without a word. They laughed at how normal it seemed to me.
They got to experience a part of our lives, and the nicer part at a time. We had warm showers- that was a blessing. They got to worship with us, speaking about Jesus to other believers, dabble in some apologetics, and work alongside me.
I watched my mom laugh and play with a small 4-year-old boy without fully developed legs, who could outrun each of us. And my heart exploded with joy from the Lord at this view.
I watched my dad hold a once comatose 3 years old who didn’t want to let him go, and I felt the love of God.
I walked around a small village community with my parents, greeting women and children and husbands leading their mules filled with hay. I watched my parents embrace my now normal life, picking up baby goats, holding crying, and giggling children. Butchering speaking native tounges, and meeting locals where they were at, in the heart of their homes, while they put mud on their huts for insulation.
My parents got a small glimpse in my world and I am ever grateful for it. It was amazing to walk with them and see Ethiopia. Playing cards, drinking tea and coffee and seeing them do what they love- serving others.
My parents have huge hearts for ministry, hearts to serve God wherever he needs and it was an absolute honor to see them meet God in this place. Their obedience was astonishing.
But dang it having my mom and dad made me miss the rest of the family even more! See you soon, Zach, Taylor, and Kailey!
The good news- I finally have a return date. In 2 months and 9 days, I’ll be home. On November 23rd I’ll land in Chicago with a new look on life.
I’ve seen the simplicity of life around the world, the bold cultures, the vibrant colors, the laughs, and I’m excited to be home to share that with America. I’ve seen where America excels and where we also stagger and fall. And for the next two months, I’m soaking it all in knowing that God can teach me so much more before I board that plane ride home.
