Ever wonder what your parents might say if you decide to become a missionary? Aimee interviewed her mom about her experience, and you might just find some encouragement to overcome your fear of stepping into what God's calling you to do.
Aimee: How did you feel the first time I told you I was thinking about YWAM?
Mom: At first I thought, "Ehh, she's just thinking about it. It's not going to happen, but then, when it actually happened, you got the application in and you started fundraising, I was like, "Okay, she's doing this!" It was a lot of mixed emotions. I was kind of nervous that you were leaving. You were going off and it was like going off to college, so I was sad. You were leaving, but I was excited for what you were getting ready to do. It was exciting.
Aimee: We took a tour of the base before. Do you think that helped you have more peace about me going?
Mom: Yeah, I think it really helped make it real, and to know where you're going, where you were going to stay, the people that you'll meet there. It really helped a lot.
Aimee: What was the hardest thing about the initial leaving, and what has been the hardest thing about me being in missions full-time?
Mom: The hardest thing was to let go. To let you go, that was definitely hard. I had to learn to put you in God's hands. It was your journey now. I'm part of the journey but it is really your journey now. One of the hardest things for me was when you went on your outreach overseas. That was tough and I really had to just give it to God.
Aimee: See, I didn't know that. You didn't express that to me. I'm super thankful you didn't, but you really encouraged me very well, and didn't express that you were concerned about that. Thank you for that.
Mom: Well, you know, I didn't want you to have to worry about my feelings while you were out there focused on what you were doing and again, it was time for me to learn to let go and let God. You're His child. You were His child before mine and He is going to take care of you.
Aimee: If you had a parent come to you and say, "My kid wants to go and do missions," whether it's YWAM or not, if they were asking your advice and they're like, "I don't know what to do, I don't know how I feel about this?" What would you tell them?
Mom: I'd say, "Encourage them." First of all, make sure they're seeking God for their own guidance, but definitely encourage your child to do what they want to do. That is such a great experience. Even if it's just to go deep with God, and not go into full time missions, it's a great experience.
Aimee: When I left for DTS, I thought I was coming back. I wasn't planning on doing full time missions. Did you think I was coming back?
Mom: God told me you would be a missionary when you were just a child. I knew you wouldn't be coming back! That was hard though because I knew that was it.
Aimee: I thought you were crazy for those thoughts, but you knew!
Mom: I'm so proud that my daughter gave up on what she thought she was supposed to do and do what God's purposes were for her life on this earth. I'm so proud!
Aimee: If you're watching this, maybe you want to share this with your parents.
Make your faith your own and develop a meaningful relationship with God. Find your God given purpose! More training schools start soon. Go on and do it! Your mom will love you for it!