**Parent blog: A Reflection of Parent Vision Trip
Wow, what an experience. India was not on our bucket list of places to go but, boy, are we glad we went! In March, we spent a week and a half in India (this is including the travel time!). We had a couple of days in Delhi and Agra before arriving in Hyderabad to meet up with the rest of the parents of the V Squad on the Parent Vision Trip (PVT). India is beautiful, chaotic, crowded, hot (90-103F) and wonderful (except for the mind-boggling traffic- 5-6 lanes of cars on a road marked for 3 lanes along with “tuk tuks”, cows, pedestrians, peddlers, motorcycles none of which follow many of the rules). We did the touristy things: shopping, visiting the ancient sites, temples, tombs, the Taj Mahal (stunning beyond words) and had a wonderful introduction to the Indian culture before our “real” experience began.
The PVT began in Hyderabad; 25 parents and our helpful Adventures in Missions staff rendezvoused at the airport before finally meeting up with our racers with smiles, tears and sighs of relief-that we made it to India, that the racers were all okay and that the sun was shining.
Our days with our racers included: ministry time at Sarah’s Covenant Homes-“SCH”- (check them out online: schindia.com) interacting with the children (holding, playing, going for walks, having a photo shoot in Easter outfits, going for a big outing on a bus!) and giving rooms in one of the houses a fresh coat of paint. We also had free time with Emma to shop and explore as well as several communal meals and worship time. The meals were served without silverware!-(yes, imagine Tom eating rice etc…with his fingers J! Sorry no photos!)
The staff and children at SCH were all wonderful. The staff members are caring and diligent and the children seemed to enjoy the chance to interact with others on whatever level they were able! (we were asked to cover the children’s eyes to protect their privacy online)
It was wonderful that we were able to help take almost all of the younger children to an outdoor sports park (2 buses packed with children, staff, racers and parents and wheelchairs/strollers) where the children were able to run/lie in the grass, cuddle on a lap, experience parachute games, play volleyball/soccer and have a picnic dinner! SCH only takes all the children on an outing like this a couple of times per year; when they have the funds and enough volunteers to help. What was also cool was that we were able to bring 2 suitcases of reusable diapers that SCH needs from a company in Wisconsin that donates these unique diapers (check them out online at: Jakesdiapers.org). The company sent them to us and we put them in suitcases (thanks to the ziplock compression bags!) and brought them on the plane to save shipping costs!
Each night of the PVT, we had a racer led worship service on the roof of the office. Thankfully, we had been going to the contemporary service at church so we recognized some (25%) of the songs the racers used during the service. We learned new songs and have a couple of new favorites (Reckless Love by Cory Asbury)! The services were informal and heartfelt and anyone could share what they felt moved to share. Racers talked about their growth, their struggles and their triumphs not only in their missions but in their faith and personal life. It was very uplifting and special.
We saw beautiful people, places and things in India. We also saw abject poverty and life struggles often right next to the “beautiful” India. The mission adventure our adult kids are on is not an easy one, we got the smallest glimpse of it. Yes, they get to “see the world”, but as we know, not all the areas of the world are ones everyone really wants to “see”. The racers have a month to learn, explore and acquaint themselves with a new country: people, language, value system and geography and right when they “get it” they move to the next country. Some countries/people/situations may be easier to “leave behind” than others for a multitude of reasons, some good and some not so good reasons. But whether their experiences are good or bad, they leave a little bit of themselves behind and always bring a little of that country with them. Our past experiences influence our present and future experiences but they all equal a life lived.
Our “adventure in mission” is not over. We’ve returned home, but our experiences in India will live on. It’s up to each of us to decide how we take our life’s adventures and marry them to our life’s mission.
