A couple months ago, my daughter, Chelsea, asked me to write a blog on the World Race from a Mom’s perspective. So much easier said than done! How can I possibly put into words all that the WR is and how it has literally changed my daughter’s life? Let me start from the very beginning …
When Chelsea first announced that she wanted to apply for the WR, my first reaction (after she explained just what the WR was) was one of disbelief. I have to admit that I was not overly ecstatic about the thought of my daughter hiking her way across the world with only a backpack and a two man tent. Eleven countries in eleven months? Carrying all her belongings for those 11 months on her back? Constantly transitioning to new places, new people groups, overcoming language barriers, enduring long travel days on crowded buses in close community with others? I can’t begin to list all the “what ifs” that entered my mind. This lifestyle was obviously for someone more outgoing and adventurous than my shy, quiet daughter who was always happiest sitting in her apartment watching Netflix with her cat or curled up on the couch with a good book. I had known for several years that Chelsea had a heart for missions, so her desire to share Jesus with “the least of these” came as no surprise. In my head I saw her volunteering at a local soup kitchen, orphanage or women’s shelter or even going on a short mission trip (which she did in college) but NOT leaving all that was familiar and comfortable behind to travel into the unknown.
She applied, was accepted, began fundraising, survived training camp and before I knew it, August was approaching and her dad and I made plans for launch weekend. She began her string of goodbyes, and I found myself explaining over and over again to others that “God had called her to go and would watch over her” but I didn’t feel very confident. The truth was, I was afraid! My faith was on shaky ground. My disbelief quickly turned to a mixture of fear, sadness, apprehension, pride and nervous excitement. I was trying to remain calm for Chelsea’s sake but on the inside I was a mess. Would she actually have the courage to go? Would she be able to raise the funds necessary to stay on the race and the list goes on. Then it hit me… I wasn’t trusting God’s plan for my daughter. Hasn’t he commanded us all to ” go and make disciples of all nations?” Hasn’t he promised to never leave us or forsake us? How could I hold her back from doing what the Lord has commanded her to do? What were my doubts saying about my own faith? Though I could tell she was nervous and had her own doubts, I also saw an excitement and fierce determination in her that I hadn’t seen in a long time. She was ready!
Launch was a whirlwind of meeting the Adventures in Missions staff, parents and racers and listening to speakers reassure us that our sons and daughters were in good hands. They answered questions and set us at ease. And then came an incredible night of worship. My heart was overflowing as I watched these racers praising our awesome God with hands raised. It was at that moment that I felt the Lord speaking to me and He simply said “It’s going to be OK.” And He was right!
We are now eight months into this journey and I still have a hard time wrapping my head around the fact that MY DAUGHTER IS A WORLD RACER! She has traveled to eight different countries, met and said goodbye to countless people, experienced some tough and not so tough living conditions, taken many different types of transportation, eaten many different types of food, attended many worship services, and prayed over many people. She has learned what it means to live without many of the luxuries that she was used to, learned how to live in close quarters with others without much alone time and experienced a new level of independence. Lives have been touched and seeds have been planted because of her (and the other racers) willingness to go and share the hope that Jesus gives. I, on the other hand, have learned how to let go and TRUST!
I wish I could say that it has been smooth sailing with Chelsea away but, in all honesty, it has been downright hard…at times. The first month crept by. I can’t tell you the number of times that I checked my email and Facebook for updates from Chelsea and other V squad racers. I scoured over pictures and videos with Chelsea in them to see if she looked happy and healthy. I read and reread all the blogs searching for any sign of homesickness. And I prayed. I prayed for her to find her place on the race. I prayed for her to find the community that she has always longed for. I prayed for her squad and her team and their host families and those that they ministered to along the way. And I prayed for our family to find peace with our girl so far from home, in faraway places that we have only read about. And guess what? That peace came. Maybe not at first. The first few travel days were a little unnerving until we got that much anticipated text or call that they arrived safely. Now I’ve learned to relax…a little…and know that “no news is good news”. AND each time I see a picture of Chelsea and the pure joy on her face, I am reminded of how GOOD our God is. When she tells me of this ministry or that adventure and this family or that child with such excitement and compassion in her voice I know that she has found what she has been searching for.
God used Adventures in Mission and the World Race to bring Chelsea to a place of brokenness and a realization that she is loved and valued and created for a special purpose. And she has a story to tell. A story of redemption and hope. That shy, introverted girl that left home in August has become an OVERCOMER and will be forever changed. She has come face to face with some of her deepest fears, stepped out of her comfort zone and has found her “laugh” again! That same girl that loved sitting at home has hiked volcanoes, been canyon swinging, danced at church services, lived in a mud hut, used a machete to clear a field for plantains, prayed with others, visited a jail cell, and volunteered to speak at church and share her story. I will forever be grateful to the staff and coaches of AIM, the World Race, Chelsea’s supporters and God above for this incredible journey that WE have been a part of!! And it’s not over yet!!
“‘For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans to prosper and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.’”
