Here’s something that future World Racers need to know: if you accept this calling in your life… you’re going to miss out on some things.
At the beginning of month 2, I was 8 days late to find out about my younger sister’s engagement, thanks to my being on top of a mountain in Bulgaria for a week. Sadly, a facebook notification was the first one to deliver the news, once I finally got into wifi range.
This month, there were two other major occurrences in my life, that it broke my heart to miss out on, as I couldn’t physically be there for my family.
As we first arrived at our ministry contact’s location in Sebis, Romania, I logged into my email to inform our squad leader that we had arrived safe and sound.
As I opened my inbox, I found an email from my mother, informing me that her mother had passed away.
I can’t express how important my relationship is with my grandparents, as they are both very dear to my heart. They’ve been very instrumental in my life, and have always been a strong supporter of my work in the mission field, which is why my family encouraged my sister in Lebanon, along with myself, to not come back to the States for the funeral, but instead to continue the work she wanted for us.
Only a short couple of weeks later, as my family was still grieving, we were blessed with a new addition to our blood-line. My sister, who lives on mission in Lebanon, gave birth to a new baby girl.
There’s a pretty crazy story to go along with the birth, that involves my younger sister, a kiddy pool in the living room, and a pair of sterilized scissors… but we don’t need to get into that now.
This also has been very difficult to miss out on. My sister’s first daughter, Lenora was born with lots of family around, on Christmas morning, and we were all able to share in their joy as a growing family.
I can’t express how much I love my niece, and knowing that I won’t even be able to meet my new niece until she’s 9 months old is a tough pill to swallow.
The mission field is tough. Short-term though it may be, it’s still difficult to accept that you will miss important events, and fun goings-on in America. But that’s all part of the sacrifice that we’re called to. We as Christians are told throughout scripture that we need to expect trials and difficulties when we serve the Lord. And I will consider myself grateful if these are the most difficult trials that I experience.
So for you future World-Racers who are like me, and try to plan your route around any important events… stop trying: it’s not possible. You will miss major life events; but just know that along the way, you’re doing what the Lord has called into your life.
That in itself is an event not worth passing up.
