Teresa asked me if I would be willing to contribute a blog entry as she launches into the World Race. As you parents out there can imagine, her journey is taking us on a journey of our own. We dropped her off in Chicago at her hotel and then went to another facility to attend a parent’s meeting to meet World Race staff and have a Q & A session. They did a commendable job of giving us parents affirmation, perspective and closure as we anticipated hugging our racers goodbye the following day. What a time of conflicting emotions…….excitement, sadness, a touch of apprehension, intermingled with a peace and gratefulness for what she has chosen to enter into. We were inspired when she was born to name her carefully…..names can have significance. Teresa means “harvester”. Ann means grace. Jesus told His disciples in Matthew 9:37, “Then He said to His disciples, ‘ The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Therefore beseech the Lord of the harvest to send out workers into His harvest.” We have no doubt that this World Race is part of the fulfillment of Teresa being a gracious laborer in His harvest. What I didn’t quite realize when she lay as a newly named babe in my arms, as I committed her into God’s care, and as I prayed for her future, that I would feel the ache in my heart when I needed to release her into the adventure He has wooed her. Am I confident she has been handed into the hands of the FATHER who can love and protect her far better than I? Yes I decidedly am. Will I miss the energy, life and joy she brings into our home every time she enters? Oh my, yes, more than words can describe.The irony has not escaped me that children Kent and I raised and so delight in as adults, will share much more of their life and time with others than with us, but then that was the point wasn’t it? Our greatest heart’s desire is being fulfilled, that our children would know and receive the love of God in Christ so they in turn could love others as they have been loved. Kissing and sending our sweet “T” off yesterday was unbelievably hard, especially as she was grieving the loss of the comfortable and familiar and counting the cost of the unknown and potentially difficult situations that await her. She turned from us and courageously walked away, trusting in God’s provision and protection as she goes to serve the afflicted, needy and oppressed. Her Dad and I walked the other direction entrusting her to God’s provision and protection as the one Who loves her more than us.
Champion Middle School!!
Hope you all are getting back into the swing of things. Here is my next question which I need help with. If i am leaving here at 7:35 pm and arrive in South Africa on Monday at 5:25 South Africa time, how long is my plane ride? Hint: go online and check out the time difference between South Africa and your time. thanks for your help! 🙂
I am off to South Africa today. P31 is taking a 16 hour bus ride to Zimbabwe after we land. We are working in a village at local church. Eeek so soon!
