Last week was a wonderfully unique week because I got to spend it with MY DAD and some of the parents of the other Racers. Dad, is one of my biggest role models, I would not be where I am today without him. He has taught me and continues to teach me lessons I will always carry with me. I am truly honored that he was willing and able to come visit me! The week was an incredible time for my dad (and all the parents) to see and be a part of life on The World Race. This week was full of community, service and worship. I absolutely loved getting to talk with my dad and spend this time together to grow closer with each other and ultimately God, our perfect creator.
To mix it up a bit, here is a blog from my dads perspective.
So, your daughter comes to you and says, “Hey Mom and Dad, I want to do the World Race.” Fast forward 6 months, we are at Launch to send Martha around the world and they tell us, “Parents, this is your race too.” Hmmm, wonder what that means. Fast forward another eight months I am in Romania on a Parent Vision Trip to visit Martha on her race. We are riding in a van with Raul, some racers and their parents. Raul is a Romanian missionary, he and his family started Hope Church in southwest Romania to spread the Gospel to his countrymen. As we ride past the beautifully green countryside on the way to a mission project Raul asks us to describe ourselves in just a few words. I proudly state that I am analytical and fiercely independent. I have known and claimed this for many years. Fast forward three days and in a quiet moment Martha says, “Dad, when you get analytical it can get in the way. Sometimes, it is good to just be quiet. You don’t have to fill every moment with words.”
Outside I was smiling and saying, “OK, I hear what you are saying.” Inside my mind I was screaming, “Really, you are going to say that? Your mom, says that to me all the time! Don’t you know that is how God made me and that is my identity???”
Back at Launch Adventures in Mission (AIM) gave us a book by Seth Barnes, the founder of AIM, called Kingdom Journeys. It talks about what it means to go on a spiritual journey and the three stages of growth you can expect as you seek God in challenging places: a feeling of abandonment turns into a realization of your brokenness leading to dependence on God. In just those few words from my daughter I was pitched into a fit of emotions. I felt abandoned.
That night I am sure my apartment mates were thinking, “Could you just sleep on the floor!” I was in this squeaky bed and I tossed and turned all night. I was feeling broken. How could what I saw as a gift be getting in the way of my relationships? What do I do with this? How do I act? And by the way, if my analytical nature is an issue, what about my fierce independence. The other day in the van and many times before I have claimed those two things as what defines me as me. I am who I am because of those two things.
The next day we had a free day to spend sightseeing in the capital Bucharest. Martha and I arrived at our hotel room, looked at each other and decided we would rather just stay in and talk. Time with each other was more valuable than any sights we might have seen. In the room and over dinner we talked about many things including my long squeaky night. It was complete joy to see how my daughter has grown into a woman of God and become a role model for me. What an experience to have your kid pushing you to higher ground. I was able to see up close how God is working in her.
On the trip home I was blessed with a cancelled flight and an extra 24 hours to process what I was learning about myself. It was now clear how this was my race too. As I recounted the trip to my wife Sara, I told her about Martha’s comments, the work I was doing because of them and the positive effect it is having on me. Her comment was, “I love that girl!
Prayer Request:
For Raul, his family and Hope Church that they continue to multiply the family of God in their town, their country and the region as they grow their ministry.
For the racers, that they continue to depend on God in their next three months in Africa.
For the parents of the racers as they run their own races. That their journeys lead them to greater dependence as well.
Much love,
Martha Sue and her dad!
