Last summer, my 12 year old was given the opportunity to go on a mission trip to Cleveland. It wasn't far away, and it wasn't for many days, but the experience still means a lot to her. She worked hard, and served others, and has forever been changed by it.
It was very important to me for her to take advantage of such an opportunity. After all, I've been on a few mission trips back in the day... and that is how Tam and I became friends.
One advantage that we had, was that our parents only knew what we told them. Heh heh heh. I'm thinking they may have been a little worried if they knew stuff like letting my friend cut my hair, based solely on the ability that his mom was a hair stylist... or sharing a bottle so we could spit sunflower seeds into it. However, as a parent, I am grateful I had the chance to be a bit of a "fly on the wall" while Faith was in Cleveland.
Here is part of our text when Tam and I discussed how things have changed...
Lori: So Faith's youth leader is posting pics everyday of their mission trip. As a parent, I am loving this. But it makes me think... I'M SO GLAD THEY DIDN'T DO THIS ON OUR TRIPS!
Lori: Just think of the questions we would have gotten. "and Shane did what do your hair?" and "Stop spitting into that bottle"
Tam: Awesome. Yea, our 'rents would have been worried.
I'm thinking that they may never know what truly happened when we were away, but I know that my life, like Faith's was forever changed by what I experienced on such trips... and it has made my life happy.
