Well it has been one month since we have left our what seems like much older and obviously wiser kids (but, young adults). It was such a blessing to be able to see them on the field in India doing the work of God, as He has called them to do at this stage in their lives. I was personally blessed to also spend time with other parents that have been on this same journey that we have been on and it was so great to see how even though we only spent a few days together as a parent team back in September, our bond also runs deep like our kid’s teams. I feel that we will all be life-long friends just as our kids will be.
As most of you on the Gap L know, Kim and I were unable to travel together and out of all of our travel in this world, this was the first time that we have ever been separated by distance and time. I have to really praise Kim, first as my spouse and comrade in this life as even though she was shaken emotionally, physically, and spiritually, she did not fail and she put her faith in God to get her to India (and eventually out of China)! She was determined to see Claire Bear! Secondly, I have to give a huge Thank You to David, Lisa, and Justus Hyde, Diane Leonard, John and Lawm Pudiate and their team in Dehli, and many others, including all of Gap L parents and racers. You all were vigilant in prayers and support and helped me tremendously, even when I began to doubt my own faith and my lack of spiritual preparation for the Parent Vision Trip. I cannot thank you enough for standing by me there in the mountains of India. It was amazing to see how our daughter, Claire, was so much stronger than I remember her being and not letting this affect the mission that she is on. Love you, Bear!
As our Racers and as us as families and parents, move in to this last 30 days, it is my prayer that God will show up now more than ever. I pray that this last 30 days will be the most impactful of the entire race. I think that this last month should not be a time to begin to think of the comforts of home, friends, and favorite food. I pray that it will be a catalyst to extend this trip to not only be the end of a nine month journey, but to figure out what the rest of our lives may look like and what God wants each of us to do, not just our racers. I look to these verses for the racers in the next 30 days:
“Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.” – 1 Corinthians 15:58
“However, I consider my life worth nothing to me; my only aim is to finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given to me — the task of testifying to the good news of God’s grace.” – Acts 20:24
As we, as dads, sat in the living room of John and Lawm, we talked about what our racers lives would look like after they arrive home and what their next steps would be. I know that with Claire we had given our blessing with her doing this journey, with the understanding that when she came home she would return to her sophomore year at college. It has become more evident that I have not been faithful and that what in my mind seemed like the logical next ‘move’ is not necessarily what God’s will is. I have learned during this journey state side that we cannot just take the past 9 months with one to go and put it in a nice little box and put it on a shelf for it to be a nice story to tell your grandkids some day about what you did in your late teens/ early twenties. The experiences of this trip for our racers is life changing and can continue to impact the kingdom of God, if we allow it. I pray that we let God take control and do what He is calling them to do after June 4th. I think as parents, we must now begin our journey as this chapter for our kids is ending. Is there a journey that we are to begin for God? Are we being ever still and listening for His voice? I know that two of my parent brothers on the PVT and I had some time to talk quite a bit and I see and hear them working toward what is God’s plan for their lives no those they touch. Brothers, I lift you up in prayer and will continue to do so. Pray for me to be faithful and to trust what the future holds in my life.
As I close this somewhat lengthy guest blog post the Claire asked me to do, I challenge our racers to be in prayer, to be in service, to listen for God’s voice, and to finish this chapter strong. This is not the end of the race, but just the beginning. Parents, be in prayer, listen for God’s voice ( what may He be asking of you?), and open your heart to what or where God may be directing your life. I love my family, I love my racer, Claire and her squad, and I love the parents and the team on ground daily in India! I pray we can look back 30 years from now and say “wow, look what God started in the mountains of India and how we impacted the Kingdom!”
Be safe and be blessed, Gap L racers and parents!
In Christs’ love,
Bruce Jones
