“No, Mama. It’s scary. I don’t want to.”
For months, neither of our children wanted to pray about missions.
“Don’t be so serious, share how fun it is!” said Cliff.
“But it IS serious,” I argued. “They have to count the cost too.”
I cried out, “God, if it is Your will, would you speak to our children?”
Months passed. Doors closed. My children resisted. Hope waned.
Then suddenly, an open door. I wrote back, eager to offer myself. Then, dead silence.
“If only we could meet them in person,” I lamented.
Weeks passed. Then, news of a renown international medical conference that takes place only once every 4 years in typically developed countries came to us. It was scheduled to take place in the very same country that two potential doors for long-term placements in rural hospitals had opened for me. The timing? During the short window of time our family had availed in faith for a reconnaissance trip. What were the chances?
Then one morning, Sarah-Faith shared,
“Mama, I dreamt that our family was in Africa. There was a girl who was painting our house in pretty rainbow colors. I saw another girl, and she bought us everything we needed- beds, phones, cards…”
A few nights later, as I researched on flights, I stressed out about the expensive tickets, the long flights and the difficult terrain to get there.
“Children, if you really want to go, you must know why. If not, it’s better not to go.”
Sarah-Faith chirped, “I want to go, no matter how hard it is. I dreamt of Jesus last night. He said, ‘Go to Africa. I have a pretty house waiting for you.’”
Then, we discovered the nearest National Park had one hallmark- the one request Esther-Praise had in her very first prayer about missions (“No lions!) — unusually, this one Nat Park had no lions.
Friends, if you’re contemplating an adventure of faith with your family, know this— it may not be cheap, nor convenient nor efficient with kids. But the biggest investment you can make is not doing more research, or greasing your persuasive skills.
It’s praying God speaks to your children directly. Because if it is His will, He can do it best.