Gary and I just returned from spending a week with Hannah in Swaziland on a Parent Vision Trip to give us the chance to see her for the first time in 7 months and allow us to participate in some of the same ministry that she does on a daily basis. So we are her guest bloggers for the week as she wanted us to each share in our own words our unique point of view about our experience.
Gary –
Why did you want to go on PVT?
To see Hannah and how she’s been growing. To interact with the people she’s with and to see a new culture. To see how other people are living and their perspective as to what is really important in life.
Were you nervous about anything before you left?
Nothing.
What did you enjoy most about your experience?
To see how happy the kids are at the care points regardless of having close to nothing.
What surprised you?
Observing that families still had cell phones. Also the surroundings were very lush and green. I expected less vegetation and more desert terrain. I was surprised that more sustainable crops weren’t being grown in larger gardens as the resources seemed to be there to support it.
What didn’t surprise you?
The poverty and hunger that was seen I had anticipated based on research I did ahead of time.
What was most difficult for you?
The return flights home.
What would you like to share about seeing Hannah after all this time?
How grown up she is.
Is there anything God taught you or challenged you with as a result of going?
Don’t worry about the small stuff.
Pam-
Why did you want to go on PVT?
For me the biggest draw was obviously to see Hannah. I’m not going to lie. But I’ve also really been searching my own heart since she’s been gone for what God has in store for the next “50” years of my life and was hoping that participating in Hannah’s world would continue to stir something in my soul and give me some direction.
Were you nervous about anything before you left?
I’ll admit I was quite nervous to know how our family dynamics might play out in being in constant contact with each other over the course of a week. I wanted our family time together to be intentional and sweet and we have historically had a tendency to get on each other’s nerves if we don’t take needed breaks every once in a while.
What did you enjoy most about your experience?
I think I enjoyed participating in the worship at night and seeing the depth of the racers’ hearts as they poured out their praise to God, whether it was through song, a word that was placed on their hearts, or a testimony they wanted to share. To experience their spiritual maturity couldn’t have been a bigger gift and to be part of that experience gave me a sense of what it might feel like to be in heaven someday.
What surprised you?
That everything in the entire country was in English. From the main language spoken, to all the signage everywhere. For some reason I thought communication would be an issue and that was never the case. The only time another language I heard was spoken was during a traditional back-and-forth greeting that was quite enjoyable to observe between the locals and the racers that knew it.
What didn’t surprise you?
Similar to Gary’s response in that I was expecting to observe the poverty and bleak living conditions. I’ve been on a couple mission trips to Belize with similar but not quite as drastic conditions, so I wasn’t shocked.
What was most difficult for you?
Returning home and feeling “embarrassed” by our comfortable lives in America. Knowing what’s out there and not sure how to respond appropriately.
What would you like to share about seeing Hannah after all this time?
That she’s not the same girl that left for Guatemala 7 month ago. She’s gained so much wisdom and spiritual maturity. It blows me away and inspires me to work on being a better version of myself. That she doesn’t belong to me anymore and that I am more comfortable releasing my hold and allowing her to chase after God’s heart whatever that looks like for her future.
Is there anything God taught you or challenged you with as a result of going?
That you shouldn’t sit on the sidelines and wait for God to give you an obvious answer to all life’s decisions. Sometimes you have to listen to the small promptings and be willing to give your yes even though you’re not positive you’re making the “correct” choice. It’s not always about the destination or final outcome in as much as who God is creating us to be in the process.
