A few weeks ago I had the incredible opportunity to have my parents serve alongside me for a week on the Race. I can’t put into words how amazing it was to see my parents in THAILAND! We had such a wonderful time together. We worshipped together, cried together, served together, and spent every second soaking up this huge blessing. I asked my mom to put together a blog about her week on the Race!
Where do I begin?? First of all I wasn’t sure about going on this trip at all. I was terrified of going to another country, scared of not being able to communicate enough to even be able to get to our hotel, worried that I was not worthy or knowledgeable enough to go and witness to others, afraid of what my child expected of me and my expectations of her and what she was doing, and just stepping out of my comfort zone period. The list goes on because that is what satan does. He does whatever he can to persuade you not to do anything that may further the Lord’s Kingdom. Let me tell you how grateful I am that the Lord had this trip planned and I did not give in to satan’s scheme. We had the best time and were so blessed by the things all of our children are doing! How amazing it was to see the difference the race has made in these young people’s lives. The main purpose is for them to go and bring Jesus to others and bless others but it is clearly evident that their lives have been just as blessed, maybe even more. Through the testimonies of the racers, hearing and seeing what God has shown them, was alone worth making the trip, so the rest was just over and beyond my expectations!
My husband and I thoroughly enjoyed the slums. Playing with the kids and seeing the love and excitement on their faces, knowing they could not verbally communicate with us at all because they don’t know English and the only word we knew in Thai was hello, was such a blessing! They didn’t care who we were or where we were from, they just wanted to be loved on and played with and that was enough. Sometimes that’s all it takes to be Jesus to someone. I felt so sorry for them at first because of their living situation and then I realized I should feel more sorry for all of us because it takes a whole lot more to make us happy than it does them. They live in filth and wear shoes that don’t fit and dirty clothes but every one of them were smiling the entire day and enjoying life. The things we could learn from kids.
Although that was probably our favorite part we loved every other day also. Chatting with the Monks was so interesting. It is so neat to see the similarities in their beliefs and ours and to know even though our beliefs are different we can respect each other and have pleasant conversation. Again, we don’t have to push our religion on others to show them Jesus.
As heartbreaking as it was walking the bar streets it was also a privilege to be able to be there to pray for every woman, man, and child that may walk the same streets. It is so sad that so many families are so desperate that they have to sell their daughters to the sex trade or that so many women feel that it is the only way they can make ends meet. I can’t express the joy I felt in my heart seeing my baby girl take one of those women by the hand and pray with her. It was the most proud and humbled I have felt in a long time.
I never realized when Lauren came to us to tell us her decision to do the World Race that it would be such a life changing experience for all of us. God has taught all of us so many things through her obedience to Him. I used to think that we needed to be at a certain place spiritually and intellectually to go on a mission trip but all God really wants is a willing heart. I am so very thankful to God and Adventures in Missions for this opportunity. It was the most amazing thing I have ever done!
This will forever be one of my favorite memories. To watch my parents love on those children, to see the heartbreak they felt as they walked the streets full of bars and desperate men and women, to watch them walk miles, dripping sweat, and still be rejoicing for the opportunity to be there, is something I will always cherish. Thank you, Jesus, that you know just what we need to have real encounters with you. I am so grateful to have such incredible, supportive parents, and so thankful for the chance to share a small piece of this journey with them. Thank you all for your prayers, support, and love! Our week together couldn’t have been possible without you!
