Dear World Racers,
As I sit at my computer in my comfortable home, after taking a warm shower and sleeping in a cozy bed, my mind drifts back to the Parent Vision Trip (PVT) this past week in Guatemala. PVT is promoted as an opportunity for us to serve side-by-side with our racers and get a taste of what you have experienced over the past few months. On reflection, I am not sure our experience even came close!
We were “shocked” at the showerheads with exposed electrical wires… you have been reduced to taking “bucket showers” and often gone days without when water has been scarce. We were not sure how we could be comfortable on a bed without a top sheet between our body and the blanket… you have slept on concrete floors with no electricity to light your sleeping space. We balked at using a toilet without a seat… you have squatted over dirt holes. We grunted about being packed into a school bus … you have spent countless hours bouncing along dirt roads, traveling to ministry sites, and huddled in airport waiting areas. We thought we would never get through the day without our morning cup of coffee… you have had days with no drinking water, collecting whatever rain water you could.
Yet, despite the uncomfortable living conditions you have had, you continue to steadfastly serve with faithfulness and compassion. And while undoubtedly facing times when your inclination might be to just bury your head and cry, you manage to get up each day and put yourselves in situations that are often heartbreaking and difficult to understand. You have faced the challenges of group living and learned to work through conflicts with your squad mates in a manner that is loving and forgiving. From my perspective as a parent, you “blew us away.”
During this week, the parenting role shifted… you became our mentors, our teachers, our comforters, our prayer warriors. You acted as interpreters to help bridge the gap in communication with those we ministered to. You allowed yourselves to be vulnerable by sharing beautiful testimonies of hurt, faith, and restoration. You showed us new ways to open our hearts and delve into a more meaningful faith journey. We learned it is not necessary to do big things to bring great joy. Simply being present, talking with, and sharing hugs with hospitalized children and the elderly was enough to elicit smiles and laughter. We experienced firsthand the gift of prayer when a mother in severe poverty conditions prayed out loud for us as we were saying prayers for her family. The prayer itself did not cost a dime, but the impact it had was priceless!
Thank you for allowing us to be a small part of your journey. I think it is fairly safe to say that this experience has left us forever changed and we could not be prouder of the young adults you have become.
Love,
A World Race Parent
