Anthony,
Your Mom and I had talked about your trip. We are against your trip and thought it was a bad decision to your career and bad for our financial situation. So we will not support you in anyway for your trip.
Dad
Dad,
Thank you for your concern. I understand you have my best intentions in mind. I completely agree that I have to take many different factors into consideration, particularly regarding my career. This is not an issue I've simply brushed off. It has required some legitimate thought and deliberation. However, as I told you – after weighing my options, I have still come to the same conclusion. However, my promises still stand – I will support you and Mom and my family in the future. I suppose that will require trust and faith for you to believe.
I know you don't support or agree with my decision (and likely never will). Remember that I am still, in fact, a rational, intelligent, and capable human being. My faith has not made me dull – in fact, it has sharpened me. I will do my best to make you proud, but my ultimate purpose lies in loving God and sharing my heart with the hungry, the broken, and the poor in spirit.
Have a great time in Shanghai. I may not see you for years to come. But know that, despite our glaring differences, I really do still love you. Take care, and we'll talk when the opportunity comes.
Your son
