Absolutely Not! Two words that I firmly said to Jacob when he asked me if he could team lead for the next group of racers in the fall. He’d already delayed his college education and now he’s wants to delay it even longer? He wants to give up his admission to his dream school? He wants to let go of everything he’d worked so hard achieve? Absolutely Not!
“Jacob, you’re going to college.” Those were the words implanted on my heart when we landed in Guatemala to visit Jacob. There was nothing that was going to change my mind. That was until Jacob gave me a glimpse into his life on the mission field.
For one of the days, we had the opportunity to visit the village that Jacob had been doing ministry at. I can remember driving on the dirt road and seeing the deep poverty of bamboo homes and tin roofs. Jacob and his teammate Ben led us up a narrow dirt path to visit a family they had been ministering too. As we walked up, you’re hit by the smell of the manure from the underweight cow. Make a quick right and we see Senovia and her family in front of their shack home. I couldn’t believe what I was seeing, everything inside of me said let’s turn back.
Buenas días! Senovia and her 3 small children were so happy to see us. The family wanted us to stay so the father brings out small, wooden benches and the mother gives me her stool. I’m sitting on the stool and the family is sitting on the dirt floor. I gave them nothing and they gave me their joyful hospitality.
In amazement and awe, I see Jacob talking to the family in full immersion Spanish. Him and Ben are having a thoughtful conversation, asking questions and laughing at their responses. Jacob looked so comfortable and happy in the moment, playing with Danny and little Marcos, talking to them about finding joy in brokenness, singing and dancing to Christian songs and clapping to the lyrics of Senovia’s native songs. What am I witnessing?
After a lot of laughter, singing and dancing, Senovia showed us her kitchen which is made of wooden bamboos with no running water or electricity. She proudly pointed to us the water filtration bucket that the boys helped install. Instead of her using wood to boil water, they can now filter the dirty water. Wow, this family has so little but they are so joyful, full of smiles and grateful!
It was in that moment that God changed my heart, right there in Senovia’s kitchen. I realized that this is where Jacob belongs. I witnessed my son loving Senovia and pouring out his heart to her family. I saw someone use joy to bring light to this family. I found a kid who has been radically changed by the gospel. God plans for Jacob are so much more bolder and greater than my plans for him. Christ softened my tongue that day. Jacob, I bless you to go to the nations. A classroom can wait. Christ says Absolutely Yes!
