The phone rings: “Mom . . . I have been thinking, and I really want to go to Africa and be
part of the Central Africa Medical Mission. We have so much here in the States, and I think the Lord wants me to use my abilities elsewhere. Are you and Dad okay with that?”

We pray and ask the Lord to direct us to spread his gospel message. But what if that means our son or daughter? What if that means traveling to the other side of the world? Does praying for mission workers mean praying that it is okay for someone else’s son or daughter to work in Africa and praying that our child only serve within 50 miles of our home? “Come, follow me, . . . and I will make you fishers of men” (Mark 1:17). Can we pray with restrictions where our children go to serve the Lord?

As parents, we always planned ahead to protect our children from dangers and illnesses. We remember holding our daughter Alicia’s hands to prevent falls or scraped knees. But her phone call created so many questions—so many unknowns. Where would she live? What illnesses could she be exposed to? What would happen if she got seriously ill? Would she be safe? Could we express our concerns without dampening her enthusiasm? Would it be our words that would hinder the work of the Holy Spirit?

It seemed like just a few years ago when she left for the University of Wisconsin–Madison. Soon after school began, Wisconsin Lutheran Chapel sent us a devotional booklet entitled In His Hands. The ten short devotions in the booklet centered on trusting in God’s care for his children and helped us as parents keep everything in perspective. The pages have been worn a bit since its arrival.

The devotion entitled “Witnessing” seemed fitting after her call. In 2 Kings 5:1-14, a young girl from Israel was taken captive to a faraway land to serve the wife of Naaman, who was riddled with leprosy. The young girl used the opportunity to witness and tell Naaman of Elisha, God’s prophet. She suggested that the God of Israel, whom Elisha served, could cure Naaman of his disease. The young girl’s words brought Naaman to Elisha for healing of the body and the soul. In a similar manner, the devotion suggested, “Your son or daughter has the opportunity to speak to others about ‘the God who forgives all sins, who heals all diseases, who rescues one’s life from the pit.’ ”