This blog was written my mom sweet mom. As most of you know she came to visit me in South Africa for PVT. I asked her to write a blog on her perspective of her week and here it is folks! Thank you so much, mommy!
My PVT trip to South Africa was an awesome experience. As a parent, I was able to spend every waking moment with my racer, and I was able to build relationships with the other racers and their parents. I felt comfort in getting to know Molly’s team. What a great group on young people. As a parent, I felt comfortable in knowing that Molly had “Mom and Dad” to keep them moving in the right direction, men that would protect the team and nurture the women, and women that were like minded. Every racer on Molly’s team had a parent represented at PVT. It was an opportune time to foster relationships with the other parents. After meeting them, it was easy to see why they have such wonderful children. The bonding grew between Molly and myself. I am not a person who cries easily and I tend to hold my emotions and feelings very close so others cannot see them. I do not like being vulnerable. These walls of protection were built thick during my formidable years and have always been my anchor of protection. With that being said, I cried almost every day I was with my racer. I cried when I received the first letter on the bus from the airport, I cried when the bus pulled up in the yard and I saw Molly waiting in the door of the place I would be sleeping for the next five nights and I cried when I had to leave her again on Friday. I cried during the testimonies being shared between racers and parents, but I cried the most on that Thursday morning when I was asked to share my testimony with Molly. I always thought that I did not have a testimony to share, but it was through much soul searching, sharing and crying that I realized I did have a testimony and I was able to share that with Molly while sitting in a coffee shop.
This trip provided vision at every moment. I saw racers who got up early to go to bible study or read and journal early in the morning. I sat in amazement at the wonder of maturity and spiritual growth these young adults have been through over the last eight months. I saw empathy from the parents and children as we sat and listened to the stories of the young people being served at the BEAM project. I witnessed the trials and tribulations of our hosts, Erika and Louie. Through their many obstacles, they continue to serve God and turn their obstacles into miracles. I saw a nation that is deeply divided by the haves and have nots. I saw shanties covered with tarps and I saw mansions on top of the hill. In the streets I could see black marks where people had recently protested against injustices. I saw the innocence of the toddlers sing and dancing in the school behind our ministry site. I saw animals in the wild that I had only seen in books or behind bars in a zoo. I heard the singing angels from the students at the Beam project that send shivers down my spine. It was one of the most beautiful things I have ever heard. I saw the hope in the eyes of the students being taught skills to provide employment in the future. Everything was beautiful because it was purposeful and Godly.
I began this trip with the idea that it was a wonderful opportunity to see my racer that I have missed so much in the last eight months. The flights to and from South Africa were exhausting but my heart was filled with joy when I was able to hug my daughter when I stepped off of the bus. However, I was able to walk away with so much more than just seeing my racer. My heart was full at every moment and I am so happy I had those moments to share with Molly. South Africa is a beautiful country with beautiful people. This trip increased my faith and it was such a fulfilling moment to serve God and be around people who also wanted to serve Him.
