March 21, 2025 • 37 mins
Chris and Lindsay Tucker share how taking their 8 and 10-year-old children on a mission trip to Thailand with World Missions Alliance changed and challenged them as a family.
• Preparing their children through family prayer for Thailand and Southeast Asia
• Addressing fears about children's safety, comfort and behavior in an unfamiliar culture
• Children have the "same Holy Spirit" as adults, not a "junior Holy Spirit"
• Witnessing their 8-year-old daughter lead a man to Christ during a medical clinic
• Seeing their son recognize spiritual darkness and refuse to enter a Buddhist temple
• Balancing children's needs for breaks while keeping them engaged in meaningful service
• Continuing mission-minded living at home, with their son praying for injured teammates
• Learning that faith without action feels empty, especially when discipling children
Visit rfwma.org to learn more about mission opportunities for your family through World Missions Alliance. Connect with host Helen Todd on Facebook or Instagram @LimitlessSpirit to continue the conversation about family missions.
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:00):
Welcome to Limitless Spirit, a weekly podcast with
host Helen Todd, where sheinterviews guests about pursuing
spiritual growth, discoveringlife's purpose through serving
others and developing a deeperfaith in Christ.
Speaker 2 (00:15):
Welcome to Limitless Spirit.
I'm your host, helen Todd, andtoday we're diving into a topic
that is both exciting andchallenging, and that is taking
your family on a mission trip.
If you are a parent, you haveprobably wrestled with questions
like how do I get my kidsengaged in their faith beyond
(00:36):
Sunday morning, or whatexperiences can I offer my
children that will strengthenour family bond and deepen our
faith at the same time?
If you have ever consideredbringing your children or
grandchildren on a mission trip,you may ask yourself is a
mission trip too risky for myfamily?
(00:57):
Or even will my children reallyunderstand the impact of
serving in another culture?
Today, I have the perfectguests to help us answer these
questions.
Chris and Lindsay Tuckerrecently returned from a mission
trip with World MissionsAlliance to Thailand with their
two young children ages 8 and 10.
(01:18):
They stepped out in faith andthey faced the unknown and
discovered how God can workthrough an entire family,
children included.
In this episode, they willshare the fears they had and the
challenges they faced, and theincredible moments when they saw
their children's faith comealive in ways they never
(01:42):
expected.
Whether you consider it amission trip or simply want to
disciple your children in a moremeaningful way.
I believe this conversationwill be very helpful.
Let's dive in.
Hello, chris and Lindsay.
Welcome to Limitless Spirit.
How are you today, guys?
(02:02):
Hey, we're doing great, yesdoing.
Speaker 3 (02:05):
great Thanks for having us.
Speaker 2 (02:07):
Well, kids are at grandma's.
Are you up to some fun today,or it's just for the podcast?
Speaker 4 (02:13):
Just to take a little quiet moment to be able to chat
with you.
Speaker 2 (02:17):
That's awesome, although I must say I'm a big
fan of your kids and I justthink they're awesome.
And really, this brings us toour interview.
You know, when you guysconnected with World Missions
Alliance and you mentioned thatyou wanted to bring your
children on a mission trip toThailand, we were quite open to
(02:40):
this idea because we reallywelcome families and cherish the
desire of parents to includetheir kids in missions work.
But when I heard the ages ofyour kids, I was like wow, they
are young eight and 10.
That's young.
So I'm extremely excited thatthis did not come in the way of
(03:05):
you bringing them and, honestly,it was a pleasure and honor to
meet your kids.
And so let's start from thebeginning.
Can you share a bit about whatled you to take this mission
trip to Thailand as a family,and was this something you had
always dreamed of, or did thisopportunity come up unexpectedly
(03:27):
?
Speaker 3 (03:27):
I'll let Lindsay take most of this.
She's quite the narrator.
But I will say that our entiremarriage, you know, we've known
that missions is so much morethan going.
There's going, sending, giving,praying.
And we knew that for theduration of our marriage and on
into our family life as we hadkids, that this would be
(03:49):
something that would be a rhythmfor our family, and we weren't
sure what that would look like,but we knew that we just had to
be open-handed, open-minded towhatever the Lord wanted to do
through our marriage or throughour kids, and so we prayed for
these opportunities for a longtime.
Speaker 4 (04:06):
So Chris has done missions.
I had done missionsindependently before we were
married and then we had alwaysgone to this missions conference
like every year.
Probably four years ago therewas a missions conference that
had a theme called Esther.
For such a time as this, andthis conference just talks about
like missionaries come back,they share what God's doing in
(04:26):
the nations.
It's so engaging andencouraging and you get really
fired up and want to go and wantto be a part of it.
And so this one year they werecalling people to go, saying,
like man, the Lord's moving.
This is the time, and as wewere in a worship session, I
felt like the Lord was speakingto me saying I'm calling you to
be a Mordecai, to fast and prayfor the Esthers that are being
(04:47):
called in this moment.
And so Chris and I startedtalking about that and we both
felt this desire to really startpraying for the nations and
praying for these people going.
So we came home from theconference and we turned our
little upstairs area into thisprayer room and just said you
know, our kids are part of thisfamily, so they're going to
(05:08):
start praying too, and so wewould have these family prayer
nights and pray for the nationsand that kind of started this
journey with specificallyThailand and some of the people
groups in Thailand.
We started praying for thatregion.
There were just a lot of peopleat that time at that conference
that were going to SoutheastAsia, and so that just was a
place where we were praying alot for and probably four years
(05:29):
of praying and just lifting upthose people, and I honestly
feel like that.
Everything just came togetherwith World Mission Alliance.
Like we had always said, lord,if we would ever get to go, we'd
love to, but it was never a.
We are just going to make ithappen.
And I mean, you know this, helen, y'all normally go to Thailand
and Laos on that trip.
(05:49):
And we didn't know we had hadit on our radar, but we didn't
know kids couldn't even go intoLaos.
So we just have always thought,well, maybe if the right time
ever came we would get to go.
But then really you could seethe Lord was moving for us to go
.
You guys, in God's sovereignty,were only going into Thailand.
That time we were able to comeand that was how our kids got to
(06:10):
be a part of it too.
So we said yes when the Lordopened the door, and we're so
blessed by it.
Speaker 2 (06:16):
So my next question actually, I would like each one
of you to answer, because Isuspect that maybe each one of
you would have a maybe slightlydifferent answer to this, but
many parents struggle with theidea of bringing their children
into mission work, especiallyhands-on, by, you know, going to
faraway nations.
(06:37):
So what were your biggestconcerns before saying yes to
this trip?
And I can imagine that a momand a dad maybe have different
concerns in mind, so that's whyI'm curious to hear from both of
you on this.
Speaker 3 (06:52):
I don't know if fear is not the right word.
Concern is a great word,because there are things that
come to mind, you know, just inour humanity concerns of safety,
concerns of, well, how is myone child, who hardly eats much
at all, how are they going toadjust and adapt?
And you know it's going to be abig opportunity for growth, you
(07:15):
know, and he wasn't going to beas adventurous as we thought he
was, as you know, as far asfood goes, but he did really
well.
So those might've been theconcerns.
As the dad, as you kind ofmentioned, we have kind of
different concerns, differentperspectives.
I'm very protective by natureand that's how God's wired me,
(07:37):
and so I don't feel like I hadany concerns for safety per se,
because the Lord's entrustedthem to me and to us and I know
that in those concerns he alwaysmeets us with His promises and
provision, and so those concernswere just kind of washed away
pretty early on for me.
Speaker 4 (08:00):
I think for me, mine is much more.
You know they're little kidsand you're going on this mission
trip with a lot of people.
I don't want them to be aninconvenience, and that is so
interesting that that was one ofthe fears that came up for me,
because I got to see almost theexact opposite on the trip, of
the blessing that they became,not only to our teammates, but
(08:22):
just the magnet that childrenare in the nations, that people
want to talk to the children orhear from the children, and so
one of my biggest worries wasreally like oh, these people,
they're trying to go on thismission trip and have these
moments with the Lord and beused by God.
And what if my kids are inthere and they're being crazy?
And how do I get both of themunder control in a foreign
(08:46):
country?
And you know it, just theirschoolwork, like they missed
some school for it, and justbeing on an airplane being, you
know, uncomfortable.
We have so much comfort, wecreate so much comfort for our
children in America.
So, like the thought ofeverything I'm asking them to do
for the next 10 days was goingto be, it was just going to be
(09:08):
hard parenting moment after hardparenting moment, asking my
little kids to rise up tooccasions that would be
difficult for them, and thenadding in spiritual warfare on
top of that, of going oh man, Ibetter get a whole team of
people praying and, yeah, justhoping and trusting that God, if
he's asking us to do somethingand calling us into it with our
(09:33):
children, every one of ourconcerns, like he's gone before
us.
He knows and it's for our goodand it's for His glory, so we
can say yes to Him and haveconfidence, despite our kind of
hesitations and worries.
And this is very interesting.
Speaker 2 (09:49):
I think each one of you answered very much according
to your personalities, justfrom remembering you on the trip
.
So that is very, very cool.
But we're going to dive nowinto your experience as a family
on a mission trip.
So what was it like steppingoff the plane in Thailand with
(10:09):
an eight and 10 year old, andhow did they react to such a
different environment?
Speaker 3 (10:16):
I think with any of us you know, an unfamiliar
culture or environment is.
It takes a while to let thatsink in, you know, and really
taking in all your surroundings,an airport is an airport is an
airport, right.
But as soon as you kind ofrecognize that hardly anyone
here looks like me, talks likeme, you know, it's just the
(10:39):
shock of it all.
I think the kids honestly werejust so tired, like it wasn't
you know, it wasn't connectingwith them that they were
somewhere new and somewheredifferent.
Because they had just been sofar and been through, they were
very quick to recognize likejust the hospitality that that
(11:09):
we were met with.
Speaker 4 (11:10):
So I think that helped put them at ease from the
get-go yeah, I am, I know, forfor me there was absolutely
excitement and expectation.
I mean, you have to remember,our kids have also been praying
for this region for a long timeand so they had expectation and
excitement for what God wasgoing to do, and that had always
(11:32):
framed a lot of what we werekind of walking into is we can't
wait to see what the Lord willdo in us and through us, what
we're getting to see.
The other thing that I thoughtwas pretty funny I had told my
kids it was going to be reallyhard.
I tried to really make themfeel like they may not shower,
(11:54):
they are going to go to thebathroom in a hole in the ground
, it's going to be roughing it.
And so every place we went, thekids were like, mom, you said
it was going to be really hardand I'm like, well, praise God,
it's not as hard as we thought.
So it was just it was.
It was overwhelming for them tokind of rectify what?
(12:17):
Where are we?
What are we doing?
How is the Lord doing this?
We're being used.
I know that was.
The other thing that was reallysignificant was the first day
we were there.
We sat down with them atbreakfast we had our little
family devotion time and we justtold them you have the same
Holy Spirit we do.
You do not have a junior HolySpirit.
(12:37):
You have the same Holy Spiritas us and God, he wants to use
you.
And so it just gave just suchan energy and excitement for
them to see with the eyes of theLord every place they went To
be fair, I think they didexperience hardships, just not
in the way that they expected.
Speaker 2 (12:56):
I just think that, from their perspective, the
hardship was in doing those long, endless days that weren't
really conducive to the energyof the eight and ten-year-olds,
and being surrounded bycountless adults that they
didn't know in the clinics.
I just admired them so muchpersevering through this and
(13:20):
being engaged.
That was very, very impressive,and I think that whole idea of
preparation how you includedthem into the prayer and
preparation for this tripattributed tremendously to that.
So were there any moments whenyou saw your children experience
faith in a way they have neverhad before, and is there one,
(13:43):
maybe particular moment orcouple of them that stand out to
you?
Speaker 3 (13:47):
In general, just the way that the kids were able to
recognize their surroundings,not only because we would point
it out to them, but, likeLindsay had mentioned, they have
that same Holy Spirit thatopens their eyes and gives them
wisdom and discernment and allthe gifts they had access to,
just like we do.
And seeing the darkness, beingable to see in the dark places.
(14:10):
One particular moment is whenwe approached the White Temple
and that that kind of was athere was kind of a crescendo of
experiences before that, wherewe're just surrounded by so many
things that are not of the Lordand I remember distinctly
(14:30):
Hudson said I am not going inthere and and man, my heart was
just full because I knew that hecould recognize the darkness
and he was equipped to face thedarkness, and that gives me hope
for his future.
You know, it was high inconcentration, the opportunities
(14:52):
were high in concentrationthere, just the sensitivity that
he's grown in in hissurroundings in things that are
not of or from the Lord, andknowing that he is going to be
okay to handle those moments.
Speaker 2 (15:10):
Yes, that was a remarkable sign of spiritual
maturity that many adults, quitefrankly, don't have.
So that's probably just a giftof spiritual discernment in him
that probably will blossom intosomething, a calling or a
ministry that God has on hislife.
Speaker 4 (15:31):
I would say for my daughter, lily.
So one of the prayers that sheprayed even before our trip, for
herself and for her brother,was that they would have courage
.
They were asking God to givethem courage to speak truth and
to share, and I got to see theLord give them opportunities a
(15:51):
couple of different times thatdid put them in places where
they got to step out and speaktruth and then watch her faith
grow as she recognized God'sanswering that prayer.
So both of our kids got toshare their testimonies, and in
front of a lot of grownups,which could be very scary.
And so I remember, before wewere asking them, do you want to
do this?
(16:12):
And Lily was like I think Godwill give us courage too.
And so they.
Sure enough, you know, the Lordfilled them with courage to
speak and they did.
There was another moment where,as a medical provider, I
normally am just doing medicine,but the prayer and receiving
line actually was so full ofpeople wanting to talk about
Jesus that it backed up and theyturned my table into a prayer
(16:34):
receiving table, which was sospecial for me, and Lily was
right there with me.
So we got to then begin talkingto people about Jesus and there
was one man that believed ineverything.
He just said I'll believe inJesus, but I believe in
everything.
And Lily, with her little voice, said well, jesus said he's the
only way, and it got translatedto him this is a grown man that
(16:58):
my daughter's sharing truthwith.
And then, just through a seriesof conversations with him, lily
got to be the one to lead himin the prayer of salvation and
that just was incredible.
And then, after that, you knowit just this confidence came
over her of like believing thatGod can use her, that God can
speak, that God does answerprayers for courage.
(17:20):
I mean, there was just so muchswelling of her faith after
those moments.
Speaker 2 (17:24):
For sure, I had the privilege of witnessing this
moment.
It was literally a highlightfor me of the trip and I was
just blown away how God usesanyone who is willing.
But then there's that elementof obedience too.
And again, lily is the youngerone, she's the one who is eight,
(17:47):
and so that was just remarkable.
But the other side of this Iwant to ask and we didn't get to
talk about that but did youever second guess your decision
during the trip, wondering ifyou made the right choice?
Or you know any problems?
Speaker 4 (18:07):
Yes, I did.
Did you?
Do you think you did much?
I mean you weren't as sure as,or you didn't really feel like
you did.
Speaker 3 (18:14):
I think it's still one of those things that I've I
really had to think back throughour entire, the entirety of our
experience.
But even today, lindsay waskind of had reminded me of some
things that are like oh, that,yeah, absolutely that's.
We had those moments.
One in particular was the nightthat our van got sideswiped by
(18:36):
the ambulance right outsideHudson's, where he was sitting,
you know, and it was in themoment it was just like, oh wow,
what happened?
Because we were okay, obviously, but still it's a what have we
done?
We voluntarily put our, put ourchild in this position, which
we know it could have happenedanywhere, but there was still
(18:56):
that moment of oh my gosh, likeif this is a sign of things to
come, then what were we thinking?
But again, like I said before,god is going to meet us in those
moments with his promises andprovisions.
And he was.
He had his hand on us, so yeah,it was another moment.
I think Lindsay had mentionedtoo.
Speaker 4 (19:16):
Yeah, it was that it was the first night we were
there when, when our van got hitby that other van and right up
in Hudson's car, your van wasnot lucky, right, you know the
whole like side mirror fell off.
Hudson was literally on theother side of that side mirror,
on the inside of the car.
And I do, like Chris was sayingit was that moment of like oh,
(19:40):
we are in a foreign country andif something happened like I
can't just call 911.
I can't go see, I can't go toCook Children's Hospital, where
I know my kids will be, you know, well cared for.
It was just a very real momentof like.
There's some vulnerability andI remember that night I got, I
sent out a message to a lot ofpeople at home praying and I
(20:01):
just said would you please coverour family in prayer?
Like this happened and I I feela little bit of fear and I need
to surrender that and I needyour help to pray for me.
And it was so helpful to havepeople at home that were
continuing to pray for safety.
For you know, for my own heart,I think the other moment where
I felt a little bit like am I,am I doing the right thing with
(20:24):
these little kids?
There was one clinic day whereall the people were just all
over my children and there'slike a normal amount of like, oh
I'm, I want to take a picturewith your child.
Or I want to, you know, shakeyour child's hand, and then
there's the child.
Or I want to, you know, shakeyour child's hand, and then
there's the like I want to grabyour kid, I'm going to put my
(20:45):
hands all over your kid and holdthem.
And you know, I could just seemy children, like look
uncomfortable.
Their faces lookeduncomfortable and, as a mother,
you know, I'm like am I?
Am I putting them in a position?
That isn't right?
You know, is that not good?
And I mean I did, I pulled themaside, I asked them if they
were okay.
I mean, they were like they'retouching us a lot and we don't
(21:05):
really like it.
And I and so we came up with aplan of like, okay, you know
what you can say, please.
You know you can extend yourhand and offer your hand for
them to shake, or you can dothese certain things or come
stand by me, you know.
So we did certain things tohelp them feel comfortable.
And you know, but at the sametime, like we aren't called to
comfort, you know, like and thatwas the thing that I feel like
(21:27):
kept coming up with my kids islike there will be.
Yes, you are, you are safe here.
But we aren't just called tocomfort and ease all the time.
That's not what God has calledus to.
And we lay our lives down forthe gospel, you know, and we lay
our lives down for him becausehe did for us.
And so the privilege of thatand just helping our kids shift
(21:47):
their thoughts of like, oh, theworld has always revolved around
me as a child, and now it'srevolving around me in a way
that I don't like, you know.
So it just was good.
It was good for them, it wasgood for me me for them to just
be in a place that they had torise above some things.
Speaker 2 (22:06):
So many parents want to disciple their children, but
they struggle making faith comealive outside of Sunday services
.
So how do you feel this missiontrip impacted the way your
family talks about faith at home?
Speaker 3 (22:23):
I think that you know faith without action, right is
dead.
So if we're talking about allthese things but we're not
putting any steps to it, whatgood is that?
What good is that?
So I think for them to walk outin such an extreme way things
that they hear about, talk about, learn about was really
(22:44):
impactful and really going to bememorable for them, because
they will always feel like notto say this is our first and
only and last mission trip withthem or that they'll ever take.
But they'll be able to drawfrom these early days knowing
about God's presence, knowingabout the ways that he moves
despite circumstances, that he'sso much bigger than
(23:05):
circumstances, weather,amenities, food, like any kind
of resistance or adversity, likehe's bigger than that and he's
for them.
They will be able to cling totruths that he provided for them
and, in their own special way,that they needed in those
moments, and so I feel like,from that standpoint, they could
(23:28):
go literally anywhere right nowand know that he's good and
know that they will have wordsto say yeah, I think that's what
I've taken from that.
Speaker 4 (23:40):
Yeah, even seeing them just practically walk out.
You know, they saw God move inpowerful ways in the nations and
now they are coming back toAmerica going.
That's the same God that I sawdo these miraculous things.
That wants to save, that wantsto heal, that wants to engage
with his people.
And so even last weekend atHudson's baseball game he plays
(24:04):
on a baseball team they're notall believers and there was a
boy that hurt his arm and Hudsonasked if he could pray for him
in the dugout and then put handson this boy and prayed over him
and then he felt better.
And whether it was just he justfelt better or the Lord healed
him.
Hudson was actively continuingto walk out the things that he
was doing in the nations becausehe knows he has a God that
(24:27):
heals and hears him and he cantalk to any time and there's
nothing better to bring than theLord into situations where
people have need.
And so what is so cool aboutthe active, you know,
discipleship of your children iswhat they see overseas.
Whenever you're seeing it upclose, it's almost like an
intensive.
And then you're coming backhere going and we still live
(24:48):
that way, you know.
So that's been really sweet tosee is that it doesn't end it
just.
You just continue to do it here, you know.
Speaker 3 (24:57):
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (24:57):
I love it.
So, for parents who may fearthat their children are too
young to understand the weightof missions, or even just to
experience, what would be youradvice to them?
Speaker 4 (25:12):
I think I can understand that a little bit.
I remember when we were talkingabout when should we take our
kids, it always was like downthe road, right, like when
they're older, when they're moremature in their faith, when
they've really made these solidcommitments to God and they're
just able to walk someonethrough the Roman road and all
this stuff that you think yourkids have to be at this part
(25:36):
before they're going to be used,which is such a lie from the
enemy.
But I can understand thatbecause I had that same
mentality too.
But, man, it was soinstrumental, even in their
walks now, to know andunderstand who God is, the heart
(25:57):
of God, the love of God, theassurances of God.
The heart of God, the love ofGod, the assurances of God, the
comfort of God, like he was withthem and in everything on those
trips, on that trip, and sothat was really powerful.
I'd also just say, man, we justaren't promised tomorrow.
You know, a big thing that thatprobably pulled us into going
to the nations a little soonerwas I had a very.
(26:18):
My sister was diagnosed withbreast cancer and then I had a
big scare right after that andby God's grace everything was
fine.
But I remember sitting withChris and saying my one regret
was I hadn't taken my kids tothe nations, like if something
would have happened to me, youknow, like I wanted that, for
our family to experience thatand, as a family, to get to
shepherd my children in that.
(26:38):
And so I just would say, man,god can use them at any age and
we are not promised tomorrow andhe is moving in the nation.
There's nothing more excitingthan letting your kids be out
there and see.
You know what God's doing,because, man, it just changes
them.
Speaker 2 (26:55):
I was remembering our experience with our oldest son,
who didn't get to choosewhether he goes or not.
He had to go.
He had to go with us.
But he was three years old andwe were in China and after a
long, long service where manypeople got saved, he asked my
husband and I what do I need todo to become a Christian?
(27:18):
And at that moment I thoughtthree years old, way too young,
it's a serious conversation.
And my husband insisted that Iexplain to him and he prayed the
prayer.
That day he accepted Christinto his heart and has never
wavered for one moment.
And I think if a child isinterested, no matter how young
(27:42):
they are, whether they're threeyears old or four years old or
eight or 10, if a child isasking you questions, if a child
is expressing desire, I thinkthere should be no hesitation
about that.
It's another story if a childis actively resistant.
Well, you know, we say amission trip is not an
(28:04):
experience to change yourchild's behavior and make them
good from being bad.
You know, because some parentsof teenagers have that idea oh,
my teenager is struggling.
If only I send them on amission trip that will fix
everything.
Well, it doesn't quite workthat way.
But if a child has that desireand curiosity, I think there is
(28:26):
no age that is really too young.
But I have to ask the questionhow did you balance allowing
your children to be kids whilealso encouraging them to serve
during the trip, like with thepeople that they met?
Speaker 3 (28:43):
You know, I think about the spiritual maturity
that we're called to and, whileour kids are growing in that,
it's harder for me than forLindsay to remember that they
are still kids.
And you know the expectationshave to be, like you know,
appropriately applied.
But I think that, gosh, youknow, when we think about
situations that, oh, maybethey're not mature enough to
(29:04):
handle this, or maybe I shoulddo this instead.
It's like, no, like we have toremember all the things that
we've taught them about who theyare, but not only that whose.
They are Right.
So it's like we know that Godis equipping them.
They have their ownrelationship with him, so we
(29:25):
have to trust his presence intheir life.
You know the gifts that he'sgiven them, while also, you know
, trusting the spirit that livesinside of us to appropriately
disciple them or to guide themin those situations where maybe
they their immaturity might comeout, or wait and be patient,
and and let's see what God wantsto do here, because kids have a
(29:48):
lot to say and we just have tobe willing to listen, because
maybe that's that's the Lordspeaking through a donkey moment
.
Speaker 4 (29:57):
I think practically that was one thing I was
actually a little worried aboutbecause I was one of the medical
providers and then Chris was aphysical therapist, so we both
were very busy during clinicdays.
We both were very busy duringclinic days.
You know, my hope was that mykids would stay engaged with us.
You know.
So that, honestly, so I couldkeep an eye on them, you know
like I don't want them justwandering off in these open
(30:20):
clinics.
I need eyes on my kids.
So you're going to sit with meand do this medicine with me and
I mean, man, they did.
They did so good, I will behonest.
They are eight and 10 and theywere engaged.
They sat there, they listenedto people's problems, they, you
know I had a stethoscope forLily and she did a lot of this
stuff with me, but at some pointthey did get a little done.
(30:44):
You know I mean these are longdays, these are not adults doing
medicine.
So you know, at times you wouldtake them aside and let them
have like lunch and just talkwith them.
And you know they would gowander around where people were
waiting and hand out bracelets,and there was one day they got
to play with some childrenoutside.
So I think it is about how dowe usher in moments where they
(31:08):
get to connect with people andbe used by God and then also
like, see when they're done, youknow, see when they need a
moment.
We all need that.
You know.
There's times when I'mexhausted and need a moment, you
know.
So it's just trying to allowyour children, like you said, to
still, because I will tell you,as a mom, I feel like I had a
(31:28):
million different things packedfor them, from, like you know,
bracelets to make to things todraw with, to, you know, just so
that they would have thesemoments where they could step
away if it was overwhelming and,you know, do something on their
own a little bit before theycould wanted to come back in and
engage again, and every timethey would, they would jump back
in later, once they had alittle bit of break and they
(31:51):
were ready to go again.
Speaker 2 (31:52):
So you were very well prepared.
I think that you could giveother parents a ton of advice.
Maybe we'll have you puttogether a list what to pack for
your kids for a mission trip,because I was just amazed at how
planned and prepared everythingwas for the kids.
But as we're finishing ourconversation, I want to ask if
(32:17):
you could sum up in one sentencewhy families should consider
taking a mission trip together.
What would that be?
Speaker 3 (32:26):
I can't think of a better family vacation to invest
in.
Speaker 2 (32:45):
And you know.
From our side I want to saythat for us, any time a family
comes and brings kids,especially younger kids, it's a
step of faith because you know,you just don't know and it's a
very serious experience.
You've seen our schedule andyou know, in addition to a
(33:09):
challenging schedule, it's aspiritual warfare.
It goes beyond just packedfamily vacation.
You're also engaging in aspiritual warfare and there is a
certain element of risk ofbringing kids into that and we
have to trust the parents.
I think there's a lot ofresponsibility on parents to
evaluate and assess whether it'sgoing to be the right
(33:33):
experience for your kids.
What do you think, lindsay?
Yeah, I would completely agreewith that.
Speaker 4 (33:40):
I think, going back of like the one sentence, I just
think it grows you as a family,it grows you as a person and it
grows you closer a person andit grows you closer to the Lord,
which is really the ultimateopportunity.
You know you're growingtogether, you're growing in Him
and you're growing up inmaturity in the Lord.
(34:01):
I just can't imagine a betteruse of time, you know, yeah, but
I agree with you.
I think every person that'sconsidering should we do this, I
think my recommendation wouldbe to fast and pray about it.
Seek him.
He'll make it clear.
He'll open the door at theright time, close the doors that
aren't supposed to be open toyou at that time, and so you can
(34:25):
trust him.
If he's opening every door andyou're hearing, yes, like he
will be with you.
That was one of the things hesaid when my first hesitation
was I have your children and sothat assurance that he sees you,
he knows them, he loves themmore than you do and you can
trust him.
Speaker 2 (34:42):
And I think the key to the success of your family
mission was what you mentionedin the very beginning you
involved them in the preparation.
There was a process ofpreparation and the children
were involved in the process ofpreparation.
I think that laid thefoundation for a very good
experience overall, minus thevan problem.
(35:08):
It was a fun story for Hudsonto tell loved it so well.
Thank you so much for joiningthe Thailand mission trip and
this interview.
I think it will be encouragingand helpful to many parents that
are probably considering thisand we hope to see you on more
missions.
Speaker 3 (35:27):
Yes we would love it.
Speaker 4 (35:29):
Thank you so much, yes, so good to see you.
Speaker 2 (35:34):
What a great story from Chris and Lindsay.
I love how their experience inThailand didn't just impact the
people they serve, but deeplyshaped their family and their
children's faith.
It's a great reminder thatdiscipleship isn't just
something we do at home.
It's something we'll live outin real, tangible ways.
(35:55):
If you're a parent thinkingabout missions, I hope this
conversation encouraged you tolook beyond your fears and trust
that God has something greaterin store, not just for you, but
for your entire family.
Visit our website, rfwmaorg.
(36:19):
There are so many opportunitiesfor you and your family to
fulfill the Great Commissionthrough short-term missions.
I'd love to hear from you ontoday's episode.
Have you ever considered takingyour kids on a mission trip?
What is holding you back?
Connect with me on Facebook orInstagram for Limitless Spirit
and let's continue theconversation.
And if this episode inspiredyou, share it with a friend.
(36:43):
And don't forget to subscribeso you never miss an episode of
the Limitless Spirit.
To subscribe so you never missan episode of the Limitless
Spirit.
Until next time.
Remember, your faith isn'tmeant to stay within the walls
of your home.
It's meant to take you beyond,into the world where God can use
you in ways you never imagined.
I'm Helen Todd.
(37:04):
Until next time.
Speaker 1 (37:06):
Limitless Spirit Podcast is produced by World
Missions Alliance.
We believe that changed liveschange lives.
If your life was transformed byChrist, you are equipped to
help others experience thistransformation.
Christ called his followers tomake disciples across the world.
World Missions Alliance givesyou an opportunity to do this
(37:30):
through short-term missions inover 32 countries across the
globe.
If you want to help those whoare hurting and hopeless and
discover your greater purpose inserving, check out our website,
rfwmaorg, and find out how toget involved.
Welcome to Limitless Spirit, a weekly podcast with
host Helen Todd, where sheinterviews guests about pursuing
spiritual growth, discoveringlife's purpose through serving
others and developing a deeperfaith in Christ.
Speaker 2 (00:15):
Welcome to Limitless Spirit.
I'm your host, helen Todd, andtoday we're diving into a topic
that is both exciting andchallenging, and that is taking
your family on a mission trip.
If you are a parent, you haveprobably wrestled with questions
like how do I get my kidsengaged in their faith beyond
(00:36):
Sunday morning, or whatexperiences can I offer my
children that will strengthenour family bond and deepen our
faith at the same time?
If you have ever consideredbringing your children or
grandchildren on a mission trip,you may ask yourself is a
mission trip too risky for myfamily?
(00:57):
Or even will my children reallyunderstand the impact of
serving in another culture?
Today, I have the perfectguests to help us answer these
questions.
Chris and Lindsay Tuckerrecently returned from a mission
trip with World MissionsAlliance to Thailand with their
two young children ages 8 and 10.
(01:18):
They stepped out in faith andthey faced the unknown and
discovered how God can workthrough an entire family,
children included.
In this episode, they willshare the fears they had and the
challenges they faced, and theincredible moments when they saw
their children's faith comealive in ways they never
(01:42):
expected.
Whether you consider it amission trip or simply want to
disciple your children in a moremeaningful way.
I believe this conversationwill be very helpful.
Let's dive in.
Hello, chris and Lindsay.
Welcome to Limitless Spirit.
How are you today, guys?
(02:02):
Hey, we're doing great, yesdoing.
Speaker 3 (02:05):
great Thanks for having us.
Speaker 2 (02:07):
Well, kids are at grandma's.
Are you up to some fun today,or it's just for the podcast?
Speaker 4 (02:13):
Just to take a little quiet moment to be able to chat
with you.
Speaker 2 (02:17):
That's awesome, although I must say I'm a big
fan of your kids and I justthink they're awesome.
And really, this brings us toour interview.
You know, when you guysconnected with World Missions
Alliance and you mentioned thatyou wanted to bring your
children on a mission trip toThailand, we were quite open to
(02:40):
this idea because we reallywelcome families and cherish the
desire of parents to includetheir kids in missions work.
But when I heard the ages ofyour kids, I was like wow, they
are young eight and 10.
That's young.
So I'm extremely excited thatthis did not come in the way of
(03:05):
you bringing them and, honestly,it was a pleasure and honor to
meet your kids.
And so let's start from thebeginning.
Can you share a bit about whatled you to take this mission
trip to Thailand as a family,and was this something you had
always dreamed of, or did thisopportunity come up unexpectedly
(03:27):
?
Speaker 3 (03:27):
I'll let Lindsay take most of this.
She's quite the narrator.
But I will say that our entiremarriage, you know, we've known
that missions is so much morethan going.
There's going, sending, giving,praying.
And we knew that for theduration of our marriage and on
into our family life as we hadkids, that this would be
(03:49):
something that would be a rhythmfor our family, and we weren't
sure what that would look like,but we knew that we just had to
be open-handed, open-minded towhatever the Lord wanted to do
through our marriage or throughour kids, and so we prayed for
these opportunities for a longtime.
Speaker 4 (04:06):
So Chris has done missions.
I had done missionsindependently before we were
married and then we had alwaysgone to this missions conference
like every year.
Probably four years ago therewas a missions conference that
had a theme called Esther.
For such a time as this, andthis conference just talks about
like missionaries come back,they share what God's doing in
(04:26):
the nations.
It's so engaging andencouraging and you get really
fired up and want to go and wantto be a part of it.
And so this one year they werecalling people to go, saying,
like man, the Lord's moving.
This is the time, and as wewere in a worship session, I
felt like the Lord was speakingto me saying I'm calling you to
be a Mordecai, to fast and prayfor the Esthers that are being
(04:47):
called in this moment.
And so Chris and I startedtalking about that and we both
felt this desire to really startpraying for the nations and
praying for these people going.
So we came home from theconference and we turned our
little upstairs area into thisprayer room and just said you
know, our kids are part of thisfamily, so they're going to
(05:08):
start praying too, and so wewould have these family prayer
nights and pray for the nationsand that kind of started this
journey with specificallyThailand and some of the people
groups in Thailand.
We started praying for thatregion.
There were just a lot of peopleat that time at that conference
that were going to SoutheastAsia, and so that just was a
place where we were praying alot for and probably four years
(05:29):
of praying and just lifting upthose people, and I honestly
feel like that.
Everything just came togetherwith World Mission Alliance.
Like we had always said, lord,if we would ever get to go, we'd
love to, but it was never a.
We are just going to make ithappen.
And I mean, you know this, helen, y'all normally go to Thailand
and Laos on that trip.
(05:49):
And we didn't know we had hadit on our radar, but we didn't
know kids couldn't even go intoLaos.
So we just have always thought,well, maybe if the right time
ever came we would get to go.
But then really you could seethe Lord was moving for us to go
.
You guys, in God's sovereignty,were only going into Thailand.
That time we were able to comeand that was how our kids got to
(06:10):
be a part of it too.
So we said yes when the Lordopened the door, and we're so
blessed by it.
Speaker 2 (06:16):
So my next question actually, I would like each one
of you to answer, because Isuspect that maybe each one of
you would have a maybe slightlydifferent answer to this, but
many parents struggle with theidea of bringing their children
into mission work, especiallyhands-on, by, you know, going to
faraway nations.
(06:37):
So what were your biggestconcerns before saying yes to
this trip?
And I can imagine that a momand a dad maybe have different
concerns in mind, so that's whyI'm curious to hear from both of
you on this.
Speaker 3 (06:52):
I don't know if fear is not the right word.
Concern is a great word,because there are things that
come to mind, you know, just inour humanity concerns of safety,
concerns of, well, how is myone child, who hardly eats much
at all, how are they going toadjust and adapt?
And you know it's going to be abig opportunity for growth, you
(07:15):
know, and he wasn't going to beas adventurous as we thought he
was, as you know, as far asfood goes, but he did really
well.
So those might've been theconcerns.
As the dad, as you kind ofmentioned, we have kind of
different concerns, differentperspectives.
I'm very protective by natureand that's how God's wired me,
(07:37):
and so I don't feel like I hadany concerns for safety per se,
because the Lord's entrustedthem to me and to us and I know
that in those concerns he alwaysmeets us with His promises and
provision, and so those concernswere just kind of washed away
pretty early on for me.
Speaker 4 (08:00):
I think for me, mine is much more.
You know they're little kidsand you're going on this mission
trip with a lot of people.
I don't want them to be aninconvenience, and that is so
interesting that that was one ofthe fears that came up for me,
because I got to see almost theexact opposite on the trip, of
the blessing that they became,not only to our teammates, but
(08:22):
just the magnet that childrenare in the nations, that people
want to talk to the children orhear from the children, and so
one of my biggest worries wasreally like oh, these people,
they're trying to go on thismission trip and have these
moments with the Lord and beused by God.
And what if my kids are inthere and they're being crazy?
And how do I get both of themunder control in a foreign
(08:46):
country?
And you know it, just theirschoolwork, like they missed
some school for it, and justbeing on an airplane being, you
know, uncomfortable.
We have so much comfort, wecreate so much comfort for our
children in America.
So, like the thought ofeverything I'm asking them to do
for the next 10 days was goingto be, it was just going to be
(09:08):
hard parenting moment after hardparenting moment, asking my
little kids to rise up tooccasions that would be
difficult for them, and thenadding in spiritual warfare on
top of that, of going oh man, Ibetter get a whole team of
people praying and, yeah, justhoping and trusting that God, if
he's asking us to do somethingand calling us into it with our
(09:33):
children, every one of ourconcerns, like he's gone before
us.
He knows and it's for our goodand it's for His glory, so we
can say yes to Him and haveconfidence, despite our kind of
hesitations and worries.
And this is very interesting.
Speaker 2 (09:49):
I think each one of you answered very much according
to your personalities, justfrom remembering you on the trip
.
So that is very, very cool.
But we're going to dive nowinto your experience as a family
on a mission trip.
So what was it like steppingoff the plane in Thailand with
(10:09):
an eight and 10 year old, andhow did they react to such a
different environment?
Speaker 3 (10:16):
I think with any of us you know, an unfamiliar
culture or environment is.
It takes a while to let thatsink in, you know, and really
taking in all your surroundings,an airport is an airport is an
airport, right.
But as soon as you kind ofrecognize that hardly anyone
here looks like me, talks likeme, you know, it's just the
(10:39):
shock of it all.
I think the kids honestly werejust so tired, like it wasn't
you know, it wasn't connectingwith them that they were
somewhere new and somewheredifferent.
Because they had just been sofar and been through, they were
very quick to recognize likejust the hospitality that that
(11:09):
we were met with.
Speaker 4 (11:10):
So I think that helped put them at ease from the
get-go yeah, I am, I know, forfor me there was absolutely
excitement and expectation.
I mean, you have to remember,our kids have also been praying
for this region for a long timeand so they had expectation and
excitement for what God wasgoing to do, and that had always
(11:32):
framed a lot of what we werekind of walking into is we can't
wait to see what the Lord willdo in us and through us, what
we're getting to see.
The other thing that I thoughtwas pretty funny I had told my
kids it was going to be reallyhard.
I tried to really make themfeel like they may not shower,
(11:54):
they are going to go to thebathroom in a hole in the ground
, it's going to be roughing it.
And so every place we went, thekids were like, mom, you said
it was going to be really hardand I'm like, well, praise God,
it's not as hard as we thought.
So it was just it was.
It was overwhelming for them tokind of rectify what?
(12:17):
Where are we?
What are we doing?
How is the Lord doing this?
We're being used.
I know that was.
The other thing that was reallysignificant was the first day
we were there.
We sat down with them atbreakfast we had our little
family devotion time and we justtold them you have the same
Holy Spirit we do.
You do not have a junior HolySpirit.
(12:37):
You have the same Holy Spiritas us and God, he wants to use
you.
And so it just gave just suchan energy and excitement for
them to see with the eyes of theLord every place they went To
be fair, I think they didexperience hardships, just not
in the way that they expected.
Speaker 2 (12:56):
I just think that, from their perspective, the
hardship was in doing those long, endless days that weren't
really conducive to the energyof the eight and ten-year-olds,
and being surrounded bycountless adults that they
didn't know in the clinics.
I just admired them so muchpersevering through this and
(13:20):
being engaged.
That was very, very impressive,and I think that whole idea of
preparation how you includedthem into the prayer and
preparation for this tripattributed tremendously to that.
So were there any moments whenyou saw your children experience
faith in a way they have neverhad before, and is there one,
(13:43):
maybe particular moment orcouple of them that stand out to
you?
Speaker 3 (13:47):
In general, just the way that the kids were able to
recognize their surroundings,not only because we would point
it out to them, but, likeLindsay had mentioned, they have
that same Holy Spirit thatopens their eyes and gives them
wisdom and discernment and allthe gifts they had access to,
just like we do.
And seeing the darkness, beingable to see in the dark places.
(14:10):
One particular moment is whenwe approached the White Temple
and that that kind of was athere was kind of a crescendo of
experiences before that, wherewe're just surrounded by so many
things that are not of the Lordand I remember distinctly
(14:30):
Hudson said I am not going inthere and and man, my heart was
just full because I knew that hecould recognize the darkness
and he was equipped to face thedarkness, and that gives me hope
for his future.
You know, it was high inconcentration, the opportunities
(14:52):
were high in concentrationthere, just the sensitivity that
he's grown in in hissurroundings in things that are
not of or from the Lord, andknowing that he is going to be
okay to handle those moments.
Speaker 2 (15:10):
Yes, that was a remarkable sign of spiritual
maturity that many adults, quitefrankly, don't have.
So that's probably just a giftof spiritual discernment in him
that probably will blossom intosomething, a calling or a
ministry that God has on hislife.
Speaker 4 (15:31):
I would say for my daughter, lily.
So one of the prayers that sheprayed even before our trip, for
herself and for her brother,was that they would have courage
.
They were asking God to givethem courage to speak truth and
to share, and I got to see theLord give them opportunities a
(15:51):
couple of different times thatdid put them in places where
they got to step out and speaktruth and then watch her faith
grow as she recognized God'sanswering that prayer.
So both of our kids got toshare their testimonies, and in
front of a lot of grownups,which could be very scary.
And so I remember, before wewere asking them, do you want to
do this?
(16:12):
And Lily was like I think Godwill give us courage too.
And so they.
Sure enough, you know, the Lordfilled them with courage to
speak and they did.
There was another moment where,as a medical provider, I
normally am just doing medicine,but the prayer and receiving
line actually was so full ofpeople wanting to talk about
Jesus that it backed up and theyturned my table into a prayer
(16:34):
receiving table, which was sospecial for me, and Lily was
right there with me.
So we got to then begin talkingto people about Jesus and there
was one man that believed ineverything.
He just said I'll believe inJesus, but I believe in
everything.
And Lily, with her little voice, said well, jesus said he's the
only way, and it got translatedto him this is a grown man that
(16:58):
my daughter's sharing truthwith.
And then, just through a seriesof conversations with him, lily
got to be the one to lead himin the prayer of salvation and
that just was incredible.
And then, after that, you knowit just this confidence came
over her of like believing thatGod can use her, that God can
speak, that God does answerprayers for courage.
(17:20):
I mean, there was just so muchswelling of her faith after
those moments.
Speaker 2 (17:24):
For sure, I had the privilege of witnessing this
moment.
It was literally a highlightfor me of the trip and I was
just blown away how God usesanyone who is willing.
But then there's that elementof obedience too.
And again, lily is the youngerone, she's the one who is eight,
(17:47):
and so that was just remarkable.
But the other side of this Iwant to ask and we didn't get to
talk about that but did youever second guess your decision
during the trip, wondering ifyou made the right choice?
Or you know any problems?
Speaker 4 (18:07):
Yes, I did.
Did you?
Do you think you did much?
I mean you weren't as sure as,or you didn't really feel like
you did.
Speaker 3 (18:14):
I think it's still one of those things that I've I
really had to think back throughour entire, the entirety of our
experience.
But even today, lindsay waskind of had reminded me of some
things that are like oh, that,yeah, absolutely that's.
We had those moments.
One in particular was the nightthat our van got sideswiped by
(18:36):
the ambulance right outsideHudson's, where he was sitting,
you know, and it was in themoment it was just like, oh wow,
what happened?
Because we were okay, obviously, but still it's a what have we
done?
We voluntarily put our, put ourchild in this position, which
we know it could have happenedanywhere, but there was still
(18:56):
that moment of oh my gosh, likeif this is a sign of things to
come, then what were we thinking?
But again, like I said before,god is going to meet us in those
moments with his promises andprovisions.
And he was.
He had his hand on us, so yeah,it was another moment.
I think Lindsay had mentionedtoo.
Speaker 4 (19:16):
Yeah, it was that it was the first night we were
there when, when our van got hitby that other van and right up
in Hudson's car, your van wasnot lucky, right, you know the
whole like side mirror fell off.
Hudson was literally on theother side of that side mirror,
on the inside of the car.
And I do, like Chris was sayingit was that moment of like oh,
(19:40):
we are in a foreign country andif something happened like I
can't just call 911.
I can't go see, I can't go toCook Children's Hospital, where
I know my kids will be, you know, well cared for.
It was just a very real momentof like.
There's some vulnerability andI remember that night I got, I
sent out a message to a lot ofpeople at home praying and I
(20:01):
just said would you please coverour family in prayer?
Like this happened and I I feela little bit of fear and I need
to surrender that and I needyour help to pray for me.
And it was so helpful to havepeople at home that were
continuing to pray for safety.
For you know, for my own heart,I think the other moment where
I felt a little bit like am I,am I doing the right thing with
(20:24):
these little kids?
There was one clinic day whereall the people were just all
over my children and there'slike a normal amount of like, oh
I'm, I want to take a picturewith your child.
Or I want to, you know, shakeyour child's hand, and then
there's the child.
Or I want to, you know, shakeyour child's hand, and then
there's the like I want to grabyour kid, I'm going to put my
(20:45):
hands all over your kid and holdthem.
And you know, I could just seemy children, like look
uncomfortable.
Their faces lookeduncomfortable and, as a mother,
you know, I'm like am I?
Am I putting them in a position?
That isn't right?
You know, is that not good?
And I mean I did, I pulled themaside, I asked them if they
were okay.
I mean, they were like they'retouching us a lot and we don't
(21:05):
really like it.
And I and so we came up with aplan of like, okay, you know
what you can say, please.
You know you can extend yourhand and offer your hand for
them to shake, or you can dothese certain things or come
stand by me, you know.
So we did certain things tohelp them feel comfortable.
And you know, but at the sametime, like we aren't called to
comfort, you know, like and thatwas the thing that I feel like
(21:27):
kept coming up with my kids islike there will be.
Yes, you are, you are safe here.
But we aren't just called tocomfort and ease all the time.
That's not what God has calledus to.
And we lay our lives down forthe gospel, you know, and we lay
our lives down for him becausehe did for us.
And so the privilege of thatand just helping our kids shift
(21:47):
their thoughts of like, oh, theworld has always revolved around
me as a child, and now it'srevolving around me in a way
that I don't like, you know.
So it just was good.
It was good for them, it wasgood for me me for them to just
be in a place that they had torise above some things.
Speaker 2 (22:06):
So many parents want to disciple their children, but
they struggle making faith comealive outside of Sunday services
.
So how do you feel this missiontrip impacted the way your
family talks about faith at home?
Speaker 3 (22:23):
I think that you know faith without action, right is
dead.
So if we're talking about allthese things but we're not
putting any steps to it, whatgood is that?
What good is that?
So I think for them to walk outin such an extreme way things
that they hear about, talk about, learn about was really
(22:44):
impactful and really going to bememorable for them, because
they will always feel like notto say this is our first and
only and last mission trip withthem or that they'll ever take.
But they'll be able to drawfrom these early days knowing
about God's presence, knowingabout the ways that he moves
despite circumstances, that he'sso much bigger than
(23:05):
circumstances, weather,amenities, food, like any kind
of resistance or adversity, likehe's bigger than that and he's
for them.
They will be able to cling totruths that he provided for them
and, in their own special way,that they needed in those
moments, and so I feel like,from that standpoint, they could
(23:28):
go literally anywhere right nowand know that he's good and
know that they will have wordsto say yeah, I think that's what
I've taken from that.
Speaker 4 (23:40):
Yeah, even seeing them just practically walk out.
You know, they saw God move inpowerful ways in the nations and
now they are coming back toAmerica going.
That's the same God that I sawdo these miraculous things.
That wants to save, that wantsto heal, that wants to engage
with his people.
And so even last weekend atHudson's baseball game he plays
(24:04):
on a baseball team they're notall believers and there was a
boy that hurt his arm and Hudsonasked if he could pray for him
in the dugout and then put handson this boy and prayed over him
and then he felt better.
And whether it was just he justfelt better or the Lord healed
him.
Hudson was actively continuingto walk out the things that he
was doing in the nations becausehe knows he has a God that
(24:27):
heals and hears him and he cantalk to any time and there's
nothing better to bring than theLord into situations where
people have need.
And so what is so cool aboutthe active, you know,
discipleship of your children iswhat they see overseas.
Whenever you're seeing it upclose, it's almost like an
intensive.
And then you're coming backhere going and we still live
(24:48):
that way, you know.
So that's been really sweet tosee is that it doesn't end it
just.
You just continue to do it here, you know.
Speaker 3 (24:57):
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (24:57):
I love it.
So, for parents who may fearthat their children are too
young to understand the weightof missions, or even just to
experience, what would be youradvice to them?
Speaker 4 (25:12):
I think I can understand that a little bit.
I remember when we were talkingabout when should we take our
kids, it always was like downthe road, right, like when
they're older, when they're moremature in their faith, when
they've really made these solidcommitments to God and they're
just able to walk someonethrough the Roman road and all
this stuff that you think yourkids have to be at this part
(25:36):
before they're going to be used,which is such a lie from the
enemy.
But I can understand thatbecause I had that same
mentality too.
But, man, it was soinstrumental, even in their
walks now, to know andunderstand who God is, the heart
(25:57):
of God, the love of God, theassurances of God.
The heart of God, the love ofGod, the assurances of God, the
comfort of God, like he was withthem and in everything on those
trips, on that trip, and sothat was really powerful.
I'd also just say, man, we justaren't promised tomorrow.
You know, a big thing that thatprobably pulled us into going
to the nations a little soonerwas I had a very.
(26:18):
My sister was diagnosed withbreast cancer and then I had a
big scare right after that andby God's grace everything was
fine.
But I remember sitting withChris and saying my one regret
was I hadn't taken my kids tothe nations, like if something
would have happened to me, youknow, like I wanted that, for
our family to experience thatand, as a family, to get to
shepherd my children in that.
(26:38):
And so I just would say, man,god can use them at any age and
we are not promised tomorrow andhe is moving in the nation.
There's nothing more excitingthan letting your kids be out
there and see.
You know what God's doing,because, man, it just changes
them.
Speaker 2 (26:55):
I was remembering our experience with our oldest son,
who didn't get to choosewhether he goes or not.
He had to go.
He had to go with us.
But he was three years old andwe were in China and after a
long, long service where manypeople got saved, he asked my
husband and I what do I need todo to become a Christian?
(27:18):
And at that moment I thoughtthree years old, way too young,
it's a serious conversation.
And my husband insisted that Iexplain to him and he prayed the
prayer.
That day he accepted Christinto his heart and has never
wavered for one moment.
And I think if a child isinterested, no matter how young
(27:42):
they are, whether they're threeyears old or four years old or
eight or 10, if a child isasking you questions, if a child
is expressing desire, I thinkthere should be no hesitation
about that.
It's another story if a childis actively resistant.
Well, you know, we say amission trip is not an
(28:04):
experience to change yourchild's behavior and make them
good from being bad.
You know, because some parentsof teenagers have that idea oh,
my teenager is struggling.
If only I send them on amission trip that will fix
everything.
Well, it doesn't quite workthat way.
But if a child has that desireand curiosity, I think there is
(28:26):
no age that is really too young.
But I have to ask the questionhow did you balance allowing
your children to be kids whilealso encouraging them to serve
during the trip, like with thepeople that they met?
Speaker 3 (28:43):
You know, I think about the spiritual maturity
that we're called to and, whileour kids are growing in that,
it's harder for me than forLindsay to remember that they
are still kids.
And you know the expectationshave to be, like you know,
appropriately applied.
But I think that, gosh, youknow, when we think about
situations that, oh, maybethey're not mature enough to
(29:04):
handle this, or maybe I shoulddo this instead.
It's like, no, like we have toremember all the things that
we've taught them about who theyare, but not only that whose.
They are Right.
So it's like we know that Godis equipping them.
They have their ownrelationship with him, so we
(29:25):
have to trust his presence intheir life.
You know the gifts that he'sgiven them, while also, you know
, trusting the spirit that livesinside of us to appropriately
disciple them or to guide themin those situations where maybe
they their immaturity might comeout, or wait and be patient,
and and let's see what God wantsto do here, because kids have a
(29:48):
lot to say and we just have tobe willing to listen, because
maybe that's that's the Lordspeaking through a donkey moment
.
Speaker 4 (29:57):
I think practically that was one thing I was
actually a little worried aboutbecause I was one of the medical
providers and then Chris was aphysical therapist, so we both
were very busy during clinicdays.
We both were very busy duringclinic days.
You know, my hope was that mykids would stay engaged with us.
You know.
So that, honestly, so I couldkeep an eye on them, you know
like I don't want them justwandering off in these open
(30:20):
clinics.
I need eyes on my kids.
So you're going to sit with meand do this medicine with me and
I mean, man, they did.
They did so good, I will behonest.
They are eight and 10 and theywere engaged.
They sat there, they listenedto people's problems, they, you
know I had a stethoscope forLily and she did a lot of this
stuff with me, but at some pointthey did get a little done.
(30:44):
You know I mean these are longdays, these are not adults doing
medicine.
So you know, at times you wouldtake them aside and let them
have like lunch and just talkwith them.
And you know they would gowander around where people were
waiting and hand out bracelets,and there was one day they got
to play with some childrenoutside.
So I think it is about how dowe usher in moments where they
(31:08):
get to connect with people andbe used by God and then also
like, see when they're done, youknow, see when they need a
moment.
We all need that.
You know.
There's times when I'mexhausted and need a moment, you
know.
So it's just trying to allowyour children, like you said, to
still, because I will tell you,as a mom, I feel like I had a
(31:28):
million different things packedfor them, from, like you know,
bracelets to make to things todraw with, to, you know, just so
that they would have thesemoments where they could step
away if it was overwhelming and,you know, do something on their
own a little bit before theycould wanted to come back in and
engage again, and every timethey would, they would jump back
in later, once they had alittle bit of break and they
(31:51):
were ready to go again.
Speaker 2 (31:52):
So you were very well prepared.
I think that you could giveother parents a ton of advice.
Maybe we'll have you puttogether a list what to pack for
your kids for a mission trip,because I was just amazed at how
planned and prepared everythingwas for the kids.
But as we're finishing ourconversation, I want to ask if
(32:17):
you could sum up in one sentencewhy families should consider
taking a mission trip together.
What would that be?
Speaker 3 (32:26):
I can't think of a better family vacation to invest
in.
Speaker 2 (32:45):
And you know.
From our side I want to saythat for us, any time a family
comes and brings kids,especially younger kids, it's a
step of faith because you know,you just don't know and it's a
very serious experience.
You've seen our schedule andyou know, in addition to a
(33:09):
challenging schedule, it's aspiritual warfare.
It goes beyond just packedfamily vacation.
You're also engaging in aspiritual warfare and there is a
certain element of risk ofbringing kids into that and we
have to trust the parents.
I think there's a lot ofresponsibility on parents to
evaluate and assess whether it'sgoing to be the right
(33:33):
experience for your kids.
What do you think, lindsay?
Yeah, I would completely agreewith that.
Speaker 4 (33:40):
I think, going back of like the one sentence, I just
think it grows you as a family,it grows you as a person and it
grows you closer a person andit grows you closer to the Lord,
which is really the ultimateopportunity.
You know you're growingtogether, you're growing in Him
and you're growing up inmaturity in the Lord.
(34:01):
I just can't imagine a betteruse of time, you know, yeah, but
I agree with you.
I think every person that'sconsidering should we do this, I
think my recommendation wouldbe to fast and pray about it.
Seek him.
He'll make it clear.
He'll open the door at theright time, close the doors that
aren't supposed to be open toyou at that time, and so you can
(34:25):
trust him.
If he's opening every door andyou're hearing, yes, like he
will be with you.
That was one of the things hesaid when my first hesitation
was I have your children and sothat assurance that he sees you,
he knows them, he loves themmore than you do and you can
trust him.
Speaker 2 (34:42):
And I think the key to the success of your family
mission was what you mentionedin the very beginning you
involved them in the preparation.
There was a process ofpreparation and the children
were involved in the process ofpreparation.
I think that laid thefoundation for a very good
experience overall, minus thevan problem.
(35:08):
It was a fun story for Hudsonto tell loved it so well.
Thank you so much for joiningthe Thailand mission trip and
this interview.
I think it will be encouragingand helpful to many parents that
are probably considering thisand we hope to see you on more
missions.
Speaker 3 (35:27):
Yes we would love it.
Speaker 4 (35:29):
Thank you so much, yes, so good to see you.
Speaker 2 (35:34):
What a great story from Chris and Lindsay.
I love how their experience inThailand didn't just impact the
people they serve, but deeplyshaped their family and their
children's faith.
It's a great reminder thatdiscipleship isn't just
something we do at home.
It's something we'll live outin real, tangible ways.
(35:55):
If you're a parent thinkingabout missions, I hope this
conversation encouraged you tolook beyond your fears and trust
that God has something greaterin store, not just for you, but
for your entire family.
Visit our website, rfwmaorg.
(36:19):
There are so many opportunitiesfor you and your family to
fulfill the Great Commissionthrough short-term missions.
I'd love to hear from you ontoday's episode.
Have you ever considered takingyour kids on a mission trip?
What is holding you back?
Connect with me on Facebook orInstagram for Limitless Spirit
and let's continue theconversation.
And if this episode inspiredyou, share it with a friend.
(36:43):
And don't forget to subscribeso you never miss an episode of
the Limitless Spirit.
To subscribe so you never missan episode of the Limitless
Spirit.
Until next time.
Remember, your faith isn'tmeant to stay within the walls
of your home.
It's meant to take you beyond,into the world where God can use
you in ways you never imagined.
I'm Helen Todd.
(37:04):
Until next time.
Speaker 1 (37:06):
Limitless Spirit Podcast is produced by World
Missions Alliance.
We believe that changed liveschange lives.
If your life was transformed byChrist, you are equipped to
help others experience thistransformation.
Christ called his followers tomake disciples across the world.
World Missions Alliance givesyou an opportunity to do this
(37:30):
through short-term missions inover 32 countries across the
globe.
If you want to help those whoare hurting and hopeless and
discover your greater purpose inserving, check out our website,
rfwmaorg, and find out how toget involved.
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