This past month we had the amazing opportunity to have our parents come visit us during month 8 of our race, in Kenya. The way God showed up over the week is too magnificent to place into words but I will explain the best I can how awesome those 5 days with my Mommy were.
The week was filled to the brim with catching up, doing ministry together, worship, playing with kids, and feeling the weight of His presence in every moment. It was like having a short term mission trip in the middle of a long term mission trip, and at the end of the week, I was exhausted. But the exhaustion I'm speaking of isn't like the tired I experience in America; it was a quenching and energizing. Every parent and racer went full throttle every single day. We squeezed the sweetness of life together out of every moment because there was so much love between parents and racers to be had. We knew each second counted and wanted to not miss a beat. We trusted in God to fill us up each morning and He absolutely did.
Unfortunately my Dad couldn't come to PVT but I am so thankful that I at least got to spend time with my Mom. (Side note: I love you DAD!!) My Mom is my best friend whom I have shared so much of the good, bad, and beautiful parts of my life with. She has taught me how to speak my mind, how to love well, how to never give up, and to always put God first.
While we do have such a close relationship, there was still a bit of nervousness in my mind going into the week. I wasn't sure how she would feel about this new boldness that I have acquired over the year as I have allowed God to change and mold me into the daughter He loves. I also knew God wanted to use this time to open my Mom's mind to see more of the enormity of His love and power. I wasn't sure how she would take either of these things because we typically aren't a family of big changes.
What I didn't take into account was the fact that God had been answering my prayers about my family all along.
He had gone ahead of me and prepared the way.
I didn't have to do anything – or think of the perfect words to say.
He had everything in control and all I had to do was be the woman He has called me to be. That's it.
I saw my Mom is a whole new light. She dived right into ministry at the unknown village where we did door-to-door evangelism, just like I did at the beginning of the race. She was adventurous and confident as we let the Spirit direct our footsteps to find what treasure He had set along the path for us. She prayed bold, sweet prayers to the widow whose home we just walked on in to – uninvited – but still expected to arrive. She reminded me a lot of myself at the beginning of this journey in so many ways but mainly in her openness to experience new depths The Lord has for her.
I realized that week just how similar my mom and I are – in opinions of spiritual life, in ministry, in everything. I'm thankful God showed us this new beautiful realm of our relationship and engraved this powerful memory in our hearts forever.
I know my Mom and I's relationship is somewhat unique compared to other World Racers, but my advice to those who are considering inviting their parents to their own PVT is: just do it.
Invite your parents, and leave the decision up to God. Even if you have a rocky road ahead of you to reach solid ground with your parents, God can handle it. And don't be blindsided like myself: expect Him to be answering your prayers.
I'll leave you with one last priceless moment: In my life, I have seen countless, insanely gorgeous, masterpieces in nature created by God. I've seen him prove His power and faithfulness through miracles in front of my eyes. But the most beautiful sight I have witnessed on the race so far was seeing generations worship whole-heartedly together & literally feel the love in the room.
