Mission trips for teens (when you struggle to let go)

My youngest daughter wants to travel to Guatemala.

Her walls have long been plastered with maps of the world. Her globe lamp shines above her as she reads and dreams in her chair. Bookshelves hold rows of neatly organized National Geographic magazines.

And now, her hope is set on a mission trip to a country the size of Tennessee, with a population of 14 million people.

The problem of course, for me, is that mixed in with her young woman features is the face of my little girl. My baby. That I have kept near and relatively safe.

My oldest daughter is choosing to not go to college at this time. She wants to travel the world too.

Her childhood dreams included being a Missionary pilot or mushing dogs in Alaska.

She is saving money. For dreams so much bigger than my own. So different.

11 countries in 11 months is what she aims for with a worldwide missionary adventure.

The problem of course, for me, it that her woman-self that gently smiles down at me, mirrors the eyes and face of my firstborn. My baby. That I have kept near and relatively safe.

If it were up to me, perhaps, they’d never move more than 100 miles away. But, they want to fly.

I asked God why must it be this way? For their parents to squirm in discomfort and fear, even as our lips encourage them to dream big?

When your child is ready for a mission trip:

These girls are here to do GOD’S work, not fulfill my dreams- Raising them was my privilege, and we have always tried to teach them to live for Him. This should not be a surprise, now, that they want to go
People need the encouragement of Jesus– and these girls are bright and shining stars
Giving draws them out of the “me” culture- It isn’t about makeup or selfies or new clothes, but instead about living
We wouldn’t want them to travel without LOTS of prayer-This’ll surely bring me to my knees. My friends, you, perhaps will join me
They will go. I will grow- That is what change is so good at, isn’t it? Requiring us to shed our fears and expectations, and see what is around the next corner with courage. Even if our knees are still a bit shaky, we still require change, just as we soak up the sun and drink fresh water
These kinds of adventures will forever change them- Opening their eyes in gratitude to the privilege we live in. To the needs of others. To the stunning nature of the Creator’s hand as he designed this world
Many verses in the Bible direct us to go into the world at large- I opened the Bible and read this verse as the pages smoothed down under my fingers. Proverbs 22:2 says, “The rich and poor meet together, the LORD is the maker of all“. I smiled because it isn’t about financial wealth. I am rich in the love of these children of mine. People are poor of spirit and will benefit from knowing these sweet girls. And it is reciprocal. In areas where my own children are weak, the wealth of the nations can teach and inspire them

We will see what happens in the next year.

My oldest worries that I will cry if they leave, or be sad.

Of course, that is true, I told her.

That is natural for a mother that loves her child.

And then I boldly reminded her that this should not be a deciding factor in their life. To never let my love hold her back from doing God’s will. She smiled with relief. Being a parent is not for sissies, is it?

Honestly, though, sometimes that would be easier.

So we’ll continue to discuss the world and maps and people. The mom part of me will interject more regional possibilities because I’m still a woman who wants her children close.

And in the meantime? We’ll check out passports and plan for the future.

And they’ll be ready, for whatever their own lives hold.

Have you been in a situation of having to put your own hopes for your kids aside, as they pursued their own dreams?