Start With the Ending

Below is a letter written by my friend Amy Young to her daughters on their trek back home from their adventure traveling for 5 months overseas this past year. As I read this, I was struck with how these reflections at the end of her trip are the prayers I have for Anna and Taylor as we prepare for our trip to Kenya and get ready to leave in less than a month. 

pictures from 2008 

A Letter to My Daughters by wanderingyoungs

A letter to my daughters Olive & Amélie -

Well…we are about to board the plane to head back from our journey.  6 continents. 5 months. 4 passports.  We did it!

As we close out this chapter and memory, I wanted to say a few closing thoughts to you.  As a family we have saved for years with the desire to wander out into the world for longer than just a short trip.  It was important to both your Dad and me that you not only see the neighborhood and country you are growing up in, but to have your eyes opened in broader ways to our world – especially Sweden and the Philippines, the countries and people that molded our hearts at a young age.  Thank you for trusting us, leaving the comforts of home and our community behind, and saying yes to this journey!

We hoped to inspire curiosity, understanding, and the desire to learn about things different from you...to gain confidence in navigating new situations, experiences where you do not have the instructions manual.  We wanted to model that human connection spans language barriers, socio-economic stratus, religions, and skin color.  That hearing someone’s story and opening oneself up to be touched by the way they see the world changes you -- changes you deeply, changes you forever.

You have seen in a new way what education, financial privilege, opportunity, and freedom can offer, and also felt the gut-wrench of so many of the children you met having to beg for their next meal. The challenges of this world are not easily resolved. There are nuances, unanswered questions, and disparities all around. Keep asking those questions, yet know that we believe that God’s hope is bigger than anything we can imagine.

What a privilege it has been to wander the world by your side.  I loved watching both of you step toward your fears over and over again and allow for growth during circumstances that were far from easy.  I delighted discovering new things about each of your personalities, roles you took on for our family, hearing your hearts while on quiet moments on buses and trains.  Thank you for your continued flexibility through the daily challenges.  Seeing others respond to your energy, joy, sense of fun and generous gift of friendship – watching those connections happen was one of the highlights of this trip for me.  You saw firsthand the impact YOU can make.

Please do not forget the faces or the stories of so many whose paths we’ve crossed.  Do not forget that as a family, we chose to stop, listen and extend our encouragement and listening ear in as many settings as we could.

We are leaving with memories of a lifetime, growth that was sometimes welcomed and sometimes difficult.  I hope you have gained insight, pride, and curiosity about your cultural heritage and I hope you continue to grow in gratitude for this special journey we were able to take together. We took a step of faith, and saw God's love, guidance and care each step of the way.