If I could do it all over again...

Written by Mary

If I could do it all over again, I would take my children on short term mission trips beginning when they were very young.  I would expose them regularly to history, geography, wildlife, weather, language, culture and faith through family trips.  But, more intentionally, I would introduce them to indigenous people - their challenges and hardships, their methods of survival, their agriculture and their faith integrated with struggle.

Now, before you think that my three were deprived, that was not the case.  They travelled much of the eastern coast of the USA and had several trips to Florida.  We sleuthed for poison dart frogs in Costa Rica and actually found the brilliant little guys on a family expedition in the rainforest.  (TIP: when hunting the elusive poison dart frog, look for large ant hills; the frogs will never be far away from this all-time favourite food source.)  A couple of the kids visited Saba and St. Maarten in the Caribbean.  A couple of them spent time in Australia diving on the Great Barrier Reef and one visited New Zealand, as well.  My daughter visited Italy, then later England, Scotland and Wales with me a few years ago.  On her own, she has travelled to the Canary Islands.  All three of the kids have seen both the east and west coasts of Canada.  One travelled recently to San Francisco.  Have I forgotten anything?  Anyway, deprived they are NOT!

Still, looking back, were there opportunities missed?  If there had been a mission trip component to even half of all those trips, how would that have impacted their entire adult lives?  Intuitively, I know the answer.  God speaks to us loudly when we intentionally uproot ourselves and give of ourselves, when we venture beyond our comfort areas, and when we, in various ways, link with others in far away places.  Sure, they saw their Mom pack Gospels and tracts in Spanish to distribute.  They witnessed how we treat all people in ways pleasing to God.  They were aware of us leaving generous tips in hotel rooms.  But, it still feels as though we missed the mark.  And, as I think of places I would love to take them even now as young adults - places like east Africa, Europe or the Arctic - I hope and trust that there will still be teaching/mentoring moments as we plan future travels together.