“You are going to do what?
Eleven months? Eleven countries? ELEVEN MONTHS?!?!?
Well, …can I come and visit just for a week?
No???
Oh, ok …yes …I understand.”
That was my part of the conversation when I first learned of The Race. I smiled as valiantly as I could muster. It was Gods call for her. I was happy. I was excited. I was sad. I felt left behind. She was going, I was staying. I fought back tears….happy, excited, sad, left, and a myriad of other emotions.
Why God? Why are you taking my precious daughter to dangerous places and all over the world? Lord, why so long? Why can’t I go? Lord, please! I want to go! I WANT TO GO!!!
Through my pain, I supported her in every way possible. We saw her off and then came the real vacancy in the part of my heart that left with her. I was taken back many years, so excited to experience college. Independence! Spreading my wings. But I was also mystified as I noticed the rare scene of my mother’s tears. Now that I had experienced the same, I understood.
The days turned into weeks and months; Thanksgiving and Christmas passed. Our family was not the same; she was missing. The ache that had forced residence in my heart was sometimes too much to bear. She was ecstatic; growing closer to Jesus as she represented his hands and feet to the least of these.
I was happy, excited, sad. I felt left behind, but I knew God was calling her. What I did not realize was that he was calling me as well.
The Spirit of God, the Master, is on my daughter
because God anointed her.
He sent her to preach good news to the poor,
heal the heartbroken,
Announce freedom to all captives,
pardon all prisoners.
[Isaiah 61:1]
Then it happened!! I thought I was dreaming as I read Angelas email inviting me to join her in Guatemala. I jumped for joy! My prayer had been answered. I was joining her in missions for an entire week. Happy and excited did not begin to explain how I felt.
As our eyes met for the first time in eight long months, we screamed, ran toward each other and embraced. That vacant place in my heart insisted that I not let go. Joy enveloped me as I noticed how much she was in her element.
This ‘Once in a Lifetime’ was a gift from God to Angela and me. We talked for hours about everything. I was inspired as I noticed the transformation that was taking place. Despite her own challenges and difficulties along this path, she was selfless. She was peace and joy that was not of this world. She was sold out to Jesus Christ. My vacancy was filled with overflowing joy; she was contagious. Every part of my heart burst out in praise to God!
[sweet reunion]
[ministering together]
[visiting families living in the dump]
[intimacy]
[loving the children]
[sharing Christ’s love]
[supporting each other]
[our last night together]
[seeking God’s path together]
If you are given an opportunity to join your Racer on a Parent Vision Trip, go for it!
While cultures, languages, rituals and status varied widely, all seek the same – to experience the unfathomable love and forgiveness of our creator. We desperately try to fill our emptiness with other things; Jesus is the only one who satisfies.
