Well, it’s been two weeks since my daughter, Joy,
launched on The World Race and flew with her fellow team mates to Lebane,
Serbia. Yes, she’s officially off U.S.
soil and onto a harder ground.
 |
| Her Team in Serbia |
A ground where the victims of human trafficking are
often set aside and ignored.
Where the gypsies are considered ‘less than,’ and
food is always an issue.
Where she is no longer under the safe arm of me—her
mom—the one who loves her like no other—and who misses her more than words can
express.
For eleven months.
Yes, eleven
entire months.
Joy will be traveling to one country each month
with merely a backpack, a tent and a sleeping bag. Oh yeah, and Jesus.
To countries where civil unrest is commonplace.
To countries I’ve barely even heard of.
To Serbia where she is currently ministering to the
youth, gypsies and underprivileged.
Where’s she’s been doing a little of
everything.
Helping with church services, giving her testimony, painting and
cleaning.
Shelling walnuts and helping the autistic children who haven’t any
hope.
2nd stop is Albania and then Macedonia.
And then from Eastern Europe to Africa where her team of 7 will go to Lesotho,
Zimbabwe, and then South Africa.
And the third and final continental stop is
Asia. They will visit Thailand, Philippines, Cambodia, Vietnam and Malaysia.
3 continents
11 countries
11 months
Now, that’s commitment.
She’s been giving hope. Yes, that’s what she’s
doing. Offering the hope that only Jesus can offer.
She dropped everything and is following Him.
She sold her car, her shoes and clothing, and her
most valuable of all—her musical instruments. Her cello and acoustic guitars.
Her ukulele and her electric guitar. And more.
 |
| Craigslist ad for her ukulele |
She had a 5k fundraiser.
And a spaghetti dinner fundraiser.
She spoke at churches.
And at events.
 |
| The Proclaim FM morning show |
She even had a benefit concert.
And she sold T-shirts and had a garage sale.
Because she knew she was born, ‘for such a time as
this.’
And not going wasn’t an option.
The World Race took precedence over Graduate School
and her full time job to living amongst real and raw community.
Over living a ‘normal’ American life with clothing,
a house and an apartment with her sister to living with merely a backpack, tent
and a sleeping bag.
 |
| Her bedroom for the next 11 months |
Over having the next year of holidays shared with
her biological family to a year of sharing with 6 virtual strangers who may
soon become closer to her biological family ever will.
Over literally eating, sleeping, living and
socializing with her best friend, her sister, Bethany, to doing the same—but
with 6 strangers.
Over her boyfriend and dog to the homeless and
helpless.
Of living within her comfort zone and following the
American dream, to living off the streets and realizing God’s ultimate dream
for her and her life.
But she is growing.
Growing more than she ever would
or could at home in Ohio.
Joy has seen a lot because she has been on many short
term mission trips.
Both Domestic and International.
 |
| In Jamaica |
In tragedy and in good times.
But this is different.
This is an 11 month commitment and then some.
Nearly $17,000 of her own money.
Need I say anything else.
Let’s just let this sink in.
And I can say that I am perfectly content with her
decision to go. To follow her heart and take up her cross and carry it across
the globe.
My heart is bursting with pride and joy.
