JOYCE NOVAK is a pretty famous name in the World Race community…even people who have never been on a team with me know it!
She is a faithful blog reader and never fails to leave very long and very encouraging comments.
I was pretty proud when a former teammate wrote a somewhat controversial blog and the only supportive comment came from a certain Joyce Novak.
That's my mother for you…always supportive. She supported me every single step of this journey, and since it is Mother’s Day I thought it was only fair that I let her share her side of the story…
When you first told me about your desire to go on a mission trip, it was almost a year before you really knew that it was a journey you wanted to take, and one that you needed to take. There was lots of time to choose how long a trip you wanted, which countries you would like to see, and there was plenty of time to change your mind. It came as a bit of a surprise when you chose the World Race. You had never even been on a short missions trip, so eleven months crossing the globe seemed like a grand undertaking.
It would be an awesome opportunity for you to see the world, see GOD working in the lives of Christians all over the world, and to share His message of love and forgiveness to a hurting world that desperately needs Him.
You came home from World Race Training Camp in Georgia this summer on a spiritual high. I knew, and you knew that this trip was a go! When GOD gives you the desire of your heart, it really is the desire of His heart, and that is an awesome revelation. As your mom, that’s all I needed to know. There is no fear when the GOD of heaven and earth has sent you out to serve Him. I put my trust in Him, and knew you would be more than OK. You would be in the best hands ever, 24 – 7 and your fifty pound bag would tag along for the ride…(it took a little jog at the beginning, but that turned into a blessing.)
One of the most unexpected joys of this trip has been the family of World Racers that I have taken under my prayerful wing. Each and every one of them share your journey, to support, encourage, love and challenge each other. Team Pursuit… it takes me right back to Central America – Anton, Amanda, Cathy, Chelsea, Cheyanne, Clark, and you.
Then Team Shiloh…Add on Meg, Sarah, and Jackie…(I only add, I never give them up) Team Ninja…Tiffany, Brant, James, Jessica and Katie (welcome back Anton…I missed your smile).
I need to keep adding…Stephanie, Rachel, Josh and Jen, the list will go on and on….
To all those racers whose blogs make me cry, and laugh and cry some more and pray. Without a doubt I have prayed for you and hopefully I have encouraged you. You are part of a team of wonderful Christian young people who are learning how to live away from home with all the comforts left behind, and bond in cramped quarters with your Jesus loving friends who have become a family. A family who experience joy in difficult circumstances, grace in hardship, and awesome goodness in the homes of people who live so graciously with so little materially and radiate GOD’s true goodness in life.
I still can’t believe you spent Christmas in a squatter’s village…"where the poverty is frightening, but Jesus is thick"…it still brings tears to my eyes. What a lesson I learned from you. My eyes have been opened, through your eyes which have seen so much, my heart has broken and I embrace and hold dearly all that you are becoming.
This has truly been the World Race of a lifetime, and I’m taking every step along with you.
I couldn’t be a prouder mom, and my love for you goes around and around and around the world.
Love you,
Mom.
Mom,
When it felt like everyone I talked to was skeptical of my plan to travel around the world for a year, you were always excited.
This year has changed my life in more ways than I could ever explain. I don’t think I would be in Uganda writing this blog right now if it wasn’t for your constant support in these last few years…I am so SO grateful.
Thank you for driving me to the airport – twice! (and for putting up with two tearful goodbyes!)
Thank you for forcing me pack those items that I would have left behind – an airporter, sleeping bag liner, laundry bag, multivitamins…(and for telling me that packing my rubber boots would be ridiculous)…somehow a mother always knows best!
Thank you for staying up late and waking up early to chat on patchy Skype connections (and for always letting me say hello to Rudy!)
Thank you for your weekly emails (with pictures!)
Thank you for the incredible care package you sent (and for understanding my love of new underwear!)
Thank you for always remaining calm, even when terrible things happened to my friends on L Squad. You have taught me what “trusting in the Lord with all your heart” looks like.
Thank you for being a prayer warrior, and for remembering each one of my team members by name. (Team changes every 3 months hasn’t made that an easy job!)
Thank you for keeping the faith. I don’t think I realized it, but you have taught me what a “Proverbs 31 woman” looks like. I am continuously in awe of your strength and perseverance. “A woman who fears the Lord, she shall be praised”.
And most importantly, THANK YOU GOD for giving me such an incredible mother.
Happy Mother’s Day!
I love you too.
