Yesterday was Judah’s last day with us before his Teen Missions International trip to Zambia (<—-click this link. It has info about his specific trip!) It was exciting, joy-filled and nerve-wracking. As soon as the little kids were on the school bus, we loaded Judah’s money belt with his: passport, shot records, visa photos, spending money and a cashier’s check with the remaining money for his trip.
We cleaned up and headed to the bank to get the last of the money for the trip. After that little errand, we were more or less free for the rest of the day. We decided to head over to Colophon Cafe so Judah could use the coupon for a free cone he got from the summer reading program last summer (can we say: MomFail?). Parking was, as always, tricky in that part of town. The weather was beautiful so we parked a block or so away…right in front of a cute specialty toy store. We decided to take a look around (after all, we have two birthdays in our family this month).
Judah started juggling and struck up a conversation with one of the employees. They swapped juggling stories and tricks while Apollo tried out glider bikes. After a half an hour or so we decided to head out. I surreptitiously handed Tilly some money and asked her to buy a toy I had spotted for Apollo’s 3rd birthday. I headed out to the van to change his pull-up.
Enoch came out a minute or two later and informed me the bill was counterfeit. If you have the pleasure of knowing Enoch in person, you know he is a prankster and anything he says needs to be taken with a grain of salt. I was still dressing Apollo when Judah came out and asked if the money I gave Tilly had come from the bank. I said, “Yes, but not from our trip today“. He shrugged and headed back in. By the time Apollo was dressed and changed my children still had not emerged from the store so I headed in.
I was greeted by the sight of every employee in the store gathered around the money I had given Tilly. Turns out Enoch was telling the truth, the bill apparently didn’t pass the counterfeit test. The woman in charged asked where I got the money from and specifically which bank. I told her and she informed me that was their bank too. She ended up calling to verify the authenticity of the bill. Then entire incident delayed us 10-15 minutes and I admit I was beginning to sweat a bit. One of the employees told the boys they had just had training to spot counterfeit bills…apperantly not enough training. Or maybe too much.
Once we were cleared and had the purchase paid for, we at last headed out for the long-awaited ice cream cones.
Next we headed to a nearby park to some exploring and then grabbed pizza on our way home.
Judah was so sweet, as soon as dinner was over he told me he was going outside to play soccer with the little kids since he’d be gone all summer. Just before bed I prayed out loud with the children that God would “keep him safe and protect him from energy”. Once the peals of laughter stopped and I regained my composure, I prayed that God would protect him from injury…
Once the little ones were in bed I watched a movie with my four teens. I knew sending Judah to bed early wasn’t going to result in more sleep. Chuck and Judah were up at 2 AM for their drive to Seattle. At one point during the drive Judah sneezed and broke his money belt. The money belt that I told him repeatedly not to remove under any circumstances…the money belt that contained every document he needs for his summer…Thank goodness Chuck was able to buy a new one at the airport!
Today I awoke and let out a huge sigh of relief. We did it. We send child number two off on a Teen Missions trip. I can’t wait for to hear about his amazing adventures!
How exciting! I look forward to hearing how his trip goes!
What an amazing opportunity. On one hand I want to give you a round of applause because you’ve clearly raised self reliant, intelligent, giving people. On the other hand I want to say the thought of my girls going on such a trip terrifies me. They’re just 12 and who knows how I will feel when they’re Judah’s age, but right now, that feels so far away. Even with a great organization helping watch over.
This isn’t a criticism, I hope it’s not taken as such. It just makes my heart stop 🙂 But I hope when the time comes, I’ll be able to take them for ice cream and know I’ll see them soon. What a gift this will be, in so many ways.
Well, Chuck and I each went on two Teen Missions trips (it’s where we met, after all). Chuck’s three siblings each went on trips and of course Adalia went in 2011. It’s not for everyone. Mostly I just feel excited for him…when I feel anxious, I simply put those feelings aside. Or say a prayer. Or both 🙂 Two years ago I didn’t think he’d *ever* be mature enough to go. Now I am so excited. He is healthy, active, in his prime.
Wow! Adventures indeed!
I’ve been reading the blog and admiring very much the family spirit and sense of adventure–along with the bravery and the wonderful meals. I’m someone who studies religion sometimes
http://www.interamerica.de/volume-6-1/knox/
rather than being a believer myself. I’d be interested to know what, or maybe how, one believes. I’m married to a believer, and my beliefs come from other areas–psychology and philosophy and whatever comes out of my head. I would not call whatever comes out of my head “god” in a traditional Christian sense, and wonder how a believer would describe him or herself to me. A favorite recent read of mine is Rachel Held Evans’s Evolving in Monkey Town, and I would be interested to know what you think of it. Thanks.
What a wonderful opportunity. I traveled a lot as a child with my father’s job and later myself in Mexico, Costa Rica, and Europe. It was such a wonderful experience. Not only does it give one a sense of self but it helps to really experience the world in a different way. A way in which I think helps us to really *be* Christians and have a deeper, visceral understanding of the world’s poor.
Samantha, as you know we send our kids to support and grow their faith *and* to give them perspective. Chuck and I were both changed by our summers with Teen Missions. There is no way you can spend that amount of time working (a full month) in rural Zambia and not come home changed. We know he will gain maturity, independence and perspective.
Excited to hear stories as well! Maybe someday I will even get to send one of my boys on that kind of adventure!
My daughter leaves tomorrow for what I assume is the same trip. She is doing the C trip with a time in S. Africa afterwards. I’ll show her the picture so she will know who he is.
Jenny
She won’t be with Judah. All of his team members had to show up June 7th or 8th. Is she going with Teen Missions International? To Super Boot Camp, maybe?