You might remember when my amazing Mama wrote a blog about her perspective of the Race while I was in Vietnam. I thought it was only necessary to also ask my Dad if he would be okay with writing a little something from his perspective as well. My hope in these two blogs is that they would encourage parents who also are sending out their children to the mission fields…or off to college far away…or watching their children go through drastic changes like marriage, new jobs, etc.
This journey creates incredible change in the people directly impacted: the children. But what people don’t realize is that there is collateral change as well: the parents, the friends, siblings, etc. Change that perhaps they didn’t sign up for or ask for. Change that prompts new experiences in response to the direct change like the World Race.
With this being said, read my Mom’s blog called “Being Mom but Being More? It’s a Moms journey too.” and also read below… it’s a dad’s journey too…be bold…be confident…make a difference…
“A dad’s perspective of letting my little daughter go on the World Race”
When Elisabeth started talking about the Race I thought to myself, “I know how determined she is; she will definitely follow through on this.” She told me about the World Race four years ago as a senior in high school, simply waiting until she was 21 years old and could apply. I knew I would support her in anything she wants to do in life but honestly this trip made me a little nervous. She has always been a very determined little lady whether on the soccer field or on the basketball court. All of her coaches have always said to me, “you can’t teach determination like that.” So by knowing that, it wasn’t a surprise to me that she decided to commit to the World Race last year.
After going to the World Race parent send off at Launch in January of 2019, I realized a couple of things. I saw what a great group of young kids who were so willing to go to over eleven countries and spread God’s love to everyone they come in contact with. This ultimately put me at ease with letting Elisabeth go.
What I’ve noticed with Elisabeth being gone for a year, traveling to 12 countries, and thriving overseas is how much of a difference one person can make. She is from small town Iowa and she has been able to serve, live, and come in contact with hundreds of people in the past eleven months.
This is a testament and an encouragement to anyone who believes that they cannot make a change for themselves. But you can. I can make a difference in my workplace. I can make a difference in my local church. I don’t have to be overseas like my little girl to make a difference in my small town. And the same is true with you. Be confident in yourself and always have strong determination.
– Love Dad
ps….Miss you and will be so glad to see you in a couple of weeks!
