So, you've all got a look at what our days were filled with on the Parent Vision Trip [PVT], thanks to my mom.
So you heard from her, now what about me? Did I like it just as much or was I counting the days til I was back with my team?
The truth is, I LOVED IT!
I absolutely loved getting to see my mom and step-dad after 8 months of traveling. It's been the longest I've gone in my life without seeing my parents. So yes, it was so refreshing! The ministry was great; I loved getting to do something different every day in terms of ministry, which gave the parents a small glimpse into the many types of ministries we get to be a part of on the Race. The accommodations and food were so much nicer than even our nicest debriefs [lucky for the parents the closest they had to experience 'rough' living conditions is if they chose to use the squatty over the western toilet… and props to those that did!]. It was fun seeing our parents reactions to things like "Warrior-style prayer" and "ATL's" as they got to experience these and many other Race-isms.
But for me, my favorite part of the week by far was the time in between: the unscheduled times; the early mornings, the late nights, the time between ministry and dinner… That is when I experienced God the most.
I came into the PVT a little worried about what the conversations with my parents would look like. I had changed a lot on the Race, claimed a lot of freedom, been through A LOT. I didn't want to fall back into my old ways. I had talked to Erin about this before the parents even came and then later with Carly on the first day. Their prayers and advice gave me courage to face the days that would follow.
the night the parents were to arrive, we met as Racers and talked over any worries or concerns anyone had about their parents coming. We spent some time in listening prayer and then prayed over each other. That night, and the days leading up to PVT, I felt like God was telling me to tell my parents about certain things I had never told them before. I wanted to be obedient, but couldn't imagine how that would come up in conversation…
So the first night, the parents arrived late from the airport. We said our "hello's" and "how are you's," gave some hugs and kisses and went to bed shortly after. The first full day of ministry was a bit weird for me. I had to overcome a lot and get adjusted to working with my parents. It was crazy, and definitely some sort of spiritual attack, that I was afraid of praying in front of my parents. What?! I'd prayed in front of them before; this wasn't the first time I was doing missions work with them… that night, my parents and I ended up playing Mafia after session. No heart-to-heart's that night…
The following day, I woke up with a new air. I felt renewed and that fear had gone. I was back to my self again! And a good thing, because we were doing hospital visits all day, which equals LOTS of praying. That night after session, my parents and I were sitting in our room trying to figure out what to do. Someone suggested that we play cards [we always have been a big game family]. So, as I was digging out my cards, my mom asked me a question, seemingly out of no where. She said she was trying to be intentional, like Seth was encouraging them to be. She asked me if there was anything that I've thought of on the Race that I didn't know and wish I did. She wasn't looking, but I stared at her for a good 10 seconds, wondering if this was really happening. I contemplated saying no, and getting on with our night of playing cards, but I couldn't deny that this was God paving the way for the things He told me to share with my parents. He couldn't have paved this road ANY wider….
Choosing to be obedient, I said yes, there was something. I told my mom that I realized that I didn't really know her life story. I knew bits and pieces, but as a whole, I didn't feel like I knew much about it. So that night, she relived her whole life for me, from the day she was born to present day [or at least up to the point that I could remember]. So, the whole thing that I told Carly the night before that I felt like I couldn't be vulnerable with my parents, abolished. My mom was brave and open with me and next, was my turn.
On the day of the mudslide and disaster relief, my parents and I decided to stay back from ministry that afternoon. It was optional and we were the only ones that stayed back. After getting cleaned up from all the mud with the last few drops of water at the guesthouse, my mom and I did a little shopping before sitting down in the garden for a heart-to-heart.
That morning, Jen had read one of her unpublished blogs to the group during some spontaneous worship and preaching. As we were heading out to ministry, my mom came up to me with tears in her eyes, telling me her heart was broken. We didn't have much time to talk then, but we said we'd talk later. So after our mini shopping spree in the mini Masai-type market, we sat down in the garden and talked. My stepdad was starting to feel sick, so he took a nap that whole afternoon, which left me alone with my mom.
We talked for hours. We talked first about our family and then as that topic was winding down, my mom asked me if there was anything else I was thinking a lot about on the Race and wanted to talk about. Why yes, yes there was. Again, I couldn't deny that this was God using my mom to open the door for me to accomplish what He told me to do. And again, He couldn't have paved the road any wider.
Looking back, I don't even know what I was afraid of. I came out of that week so encouraged and so on fire for God, just ask anyone on K or L squad who was at debrief! God had strengthened my relationship with both my mom and my stepdad. And more importantly, I think my relationship with my mom has evolved from just a mom/daughter relationship to a true, strong friendship. I doubted that God could really do anything in those few short days, as I tend to do at the end of every month. But God is so much greater than I could ever imagine! He blew my socks off that week, and I'm still riding that wave now. Why doubt God? He is sovereign. He's in control of everything anyway….
