Last month I had the wonderful opportunity to invite my parents out to the mission field to join me for 5 days in Costa Rica. Just to see how God provided for them to be able to come was a miracle in itself, let alone the incredible time we had together during those 5 days. We as Racers got to teach our parents and show them ways that we’ve been doing ministry and sharing God’s love around the world this year. I could write pages about how awesome our time was, how much fun I had with them (did I mention I have the COOLEST parents ever who went ziplining and rode ATVs??), and how much I saw God do in them in just that short amount of time…but I thought it might be better for you to read about it straight from them!
My Mom (aka Marmalade) wrote:
I went to Costa Rica completely exhausted physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. I was excited to see Shavon, but I wasn’t looking forward to meeting the other 19 “Racers” and/or their parents. Before leaving, we had just relocated, put our house on the market, and I was traveling back and forth between both homes five hours apart. I was up to my eyeballs in boxes and house repairs and I hadn’t even been staying at our new house. I had spent the last two weeks on an air mattress alone at our old house preparing the house to sell. I was in NO way ready for Costa Rica.
My intentions were to see Shavon and sit back and be a spectator for the rest of the trip. But God had other plans. I came back changed. I got to know God through the eyes of my child in a new and exciting way. It was fun to be the one being taught and not the teacher. Shavon had so much to share, and Tim and I loved watching her and the other Racers so adamantly share all that God had done and was doing.
They had spent so much time in prayer preparing for this Parent Vision Trip that God wasn’t going to let me sit back and be a spectator. Tim and I saw the supernatural happen in ways we’ve never seen before. We bonded with the other parents and shared in incredible times of worship.
The Costa Ricans were welcoming and friendly, and we had an easy time sharing God’s love with them and getting to know them.
We loved seeing Shavon, but more than anything, we loved seeing what God has done in Shavon and the other Racers. I think all of the parents came away in awe of what these 20 Racers have sacrificed to be in His service, and needless to say, it was quite humbling.
My Dad (aka Popsicle) wrote:
Do you know how to do ‘listening prayer’? Do you know how to do a ‘treasure hunt’ with God? Have you ever experienced a night of ‘healing’ with 25+ people with your child as one of the facilitators. Have you been part of ‘church’ conducted and facilitated by your child and her teammates? Have you listened to testimonial after testimonial of how your child and her teammates have been witnessing to and leading others across the world to Christ? Have you seen in person your child and her teammates witness to and build a spiritual relationship with a total stranger?
All of these things we got to see and experience while we visited our daughter during PVT. We as parents got to see first hand how our children have matured spiritually, relationally, emotionally and mentally during the 5 days spent with them and the team. They planned, orchestrated, and conducted the entire 5 day experience, and what an amazing experience it was!!
To read about all that Shavon and the other racers have been experiencing over the past 9 months, and then to experience it first hand – even for only a couple of days – is not the same. This experience has changed us spiritually forever. Our hearts are more tender towards other people and especially those in a foreign country with no where near the amenities that we have.
Thank you Shavon and racers – for your dedication to God as you go about doing his work away from your home country. God Bless!
