Parent Vision Trip- My mom is here in Kyrgyzstan!
One of the things the World Race does is enable the Racers to invite their parents onto the field to share parts of their life on the field, join in on ministry and grow in their own relationship with God. My mom felt called to join me out on the field. Even with fears of traveling alone, she trusted God and followed the call. So, my mom arrived on Monday morning at 6am and from then it was filled with worship, devotionals, English lessons at the university, talking clubs, a hike in the mountains, quiet times together over coffee, deep conversations, storytelling and testimony sharing, and just catching up. There were 9 Racers who had parents join us on the field, and we all got to do ministry together.
One of my favorite afternoons, we held a volleyball clinic for students. Two of the parents lead the students and Racers in some drills. With over 50 people participating, the gym was full and energetic. Students continued to trickle in and many conversations were started on the sidelines. My mom, who has coached volleyball in our local school, was in her element! It was so fun to see! Not being a great volleyball player, I ended up in a conversation with a few younger girls. My mom was the one to invite me into the conversation, they were two high school students who wanted to meet the “Americans” but didn’t want to play volleyball. They were the sweetest girls who reminded me of my friend Mak and I. They stood there with their arms linked and helped each other understand and respond in English. Much of the conversation was giggling and asking each other questions about our countries, but they both shared with me how restrictive their parents were and they don’t have great relationships with them. One of the big things I remember about the conversation was that one girl said it was her dream to go to America. Many people say this, but this time I saw the passion in her eyes to learn the language to start her own life and have more freedoms. We can’t share about the gospel in government sanctioned buildings but we exchanged Instagrams and have been in contact. Please pray for these two girls and our future conversations! God used this really fun day for much more than we could image, there were connections made, more students invited to our English talking clubs, truth shared, etc.
I am so grateful for the time my mom and I had together. We have always been close, although our relationship has changed over the years. I confide in her as she confides in me. She listens to me and I listen to her. As we both grow closer to God in our spiritual walks, I feel closer to my mom. To be honest, I wasn’t sad to see her go. The Lord worked in many sweet ways when she was here and will continue to do that for me and her. I told her I wasn’t sad to see her leave, for I had said many hard goodbyes to people I may never see again and I get to see her in a few months when I come home. I deeply cherished the time I got to spend with her, but we have our own purposes and passions to attend to. She is being called to new and exciting things and so am I. This was such a blessing to have her here!
Please continue to pray for the people of Kyrgyzstan, for the spiritual atmosphere, for the conflict on the southern border with Tajikistan, and for my team as we get over being sick and head into two more weeks of ministry here!
LOVE YOU ALL, Clara Grace
(Yes, my mom and I were matching :))
