Adventures WorldRace SethBarnes Sponsorship Giving

| by archiveworldraceblogs

In Month 9 of our World Race, we got the experience to invite our parents out to the field. My parents both joined me for a week in Guatemala. Both racers and parents learned a lot from the experience. We did ministry together, explored the city of Antigua, and worshipped together. My favorite part was truly introducing my family to my World Race family. 

Through all the chaos, our squad decided to compile some things we would have liked to know going into PVT and extended the same question to our parents. If you are a Racer or parent heading into a PVT, I highly recommend you prepare yourself for all the fun ahead. 

What do you wish you knew before parents came to PVT?

  1. It might be a hard week. Spending 9 months without them and then spending 5 days straight may take a toll on you.
  2. You may struggle to lay down boundaries so we can have quiet time daily. It is important to voice daily expectations. 
  3. You will be leading more than you expect. Sessions and worship are all Racer led.
  4. Parents took the time to write heart felt letters to you. When you are asked to write a blessing, really take the time to make it one. 
  5. Meals are mandatory. You won’t get very many meals alone with your parents. Plan ahead and make them count. 
  6. It was difficult mixing our families with our current squad family. It was kind of socially straining, especially for introverts. 
  7. Prepare to tell your parents what you need and why. Just like you had to learn with your squad. 
  8. They may be late. It is still the World Race. 
  9. It is completely possible to be excited, overwhelmed, confused distinctly and/or all at once
  10. Parent(s) may also be nervous after my being away for awhile, in a new country, and around complete strangers they don’t know – give them grace!
  11. You may have to walk your parents through a role reversal of sorts. It’s awkward on both ends, don’t worry. 

What do you wish parents would have known before coming?

  1. It is okay if they are not on the same page as other parents or racers. It is okay to not know Jesus. We still love them. 
  2. We need our space for alone time, time with the Lord, and time with our teams. This isn’t our typical schedule and it may throw us for a loop.
  3. If you are confused about how to process a day of ministry or something you heard in session, it is okay to talk it out with your Racer. 
  4. You will see and experience hard things. You will see poverty from a new perspective. You will be challenged in a really healthy way. 
  5. Your Racer has been in community for almost a year now. They LOVE these people around them. Jump in and get to know them. It shows that you care about their new family. 
  6. Please do not think you’re above relearning your child. They have grown. Interactions will be different. Their responses to you and others will be different. Their needs have changed. Ask questions and stay humble. 
  7. Do not leave expectations unsaid. If you expect something of your Racer, let them know beforehand. No one knows how you feel unless you tell them.  
  8. It is perfectly fine for you to go off on your own, with just your spouse, or even other parents. We have been traveling for months. The novelty of new cities isn’t as fresh. We don’t have the stamina to explore like y’all do. 
  9. Prepare some SPECIFIC questions to ask your Racer. What was their favorite ministry? How did they handle a challenging team situation? Have your passions changed at all on the Race?
  10. Please do not ask your Racer about their future plans. If you do, be sure to set the culture that it is OKAY not to know right now. 
  11. Do not be afraid of ministry. Your Racers will take the lead. They want you to jump in and experience it with them. They do not have expectations that you can’t meet. They just want to see you experience their life. 

Parents, what do you wish YOU would have known before PVT?

  1. “I wish I would have known how many people I would meet and fall in love with.”
  2. “I wish I would have known that we were staying in one place so I could have packed less.”
  3. “I wish I would have known to bring you and your friends some sort of treat to make your day more special.”
  4. “I wish I would have known I was going to take back more than I could ever have brought to the table.”
  5. “I wish I would have known that it would be so hard to say goodbye to everyone, especially you, so I might have been more prepared.”
  6. “I wish we could have known what ministry looked like so we could have purchased supplies like coloring books or New Testament bibles in Spanish.”