Parents

Parents are very important to us at Mission Year. They have made numerous sacrifices to help us get to this point in life. We want to honor them by having them included in the Mission Year process. Resources for parents can be found here to help relieve their fears, address their concerns, and answer their questions. If parents have additional questions, or would rather just feel better talking to a real person, please have them call us at: 888.340.YEAR (9327).

Parent of Mission Year Alumni Interview

Mission Year Podcast / Episode 9 / 02.28.08

Atlanta Banquet, One Day Gatherings, Announcements and FEATURED TALK: Ken Grisso, Parent of Mission Year Alumni, Interview
Download (.mp3)

Parent Blog

Reflection from My Dad / By Libby Warfield / Mar 3, 10:27 AM / Comment

Hey I had asked my dad if he wouldn’t mind reflecting a little about their trip here over the “Come and See” weekend.. I am going to be using it… Read More

Parent Testimony

Cindy Love

Mother of Abby Love, Atlanta Team Member 2004-2005

Let me first say that Abby’s experience with Mission Year has been incredible. It was a very positive experience, and as parents we can say nothing but good about it. We had a real peace from God from the very beginning, and that remained throughout her entire commitment in Atlanta.

What was your first thought when your daughter told you that she wanted to do Mission Year?

Abby has always had a heart to help the downtrodden and lift people to a better level of functioning. After completing college with a degree in Social Work she had a real desire to spend a year doing some sort of service work, and because she’s a Christian she was looking for something with a Christian foundation. My husband had heard Bart Campolo speak at a local Christian Music Festival and told Abby that Mission Year was an organization she should definitely look into, because it seemed to combine the social action with a good Christian base. After Abby visited the website she felt that Mission Year was exactly what she was looking for. My husband and I concurred…we had a real peace in our hearts about her decision. Mission Year seemed to be an extremely good fit for Abby—for her personality, commitment, values…

How did Mission Year prepare your daughter to live and serve in her neighborhood? (both before arrival and during orientation)

Abby said she was sent many emails in preparation, as well as information in the mail. She felt that someone was always available by phone should she have any questions. After arriving in September she said there was a fairly extensive orientation, not just to the organization itself, but also to the city of Atlanta, how to use the public transportation system, general layout of the city, safety issues. Many grassroots things were covered.
The website for MY is also a wealth of information. Both Abby & I found it extremely useful. I appreciate the thought that went into compiling the website—as a parent I found that almost any question I had was addressed there. The Handbook covers almost every aspect of daily living. This was in contrast to other organizations we had looked at, where things were very “loose” in structure.

How has Mission Year changed your daughter?

[Abby] Well, I guess Mission Year really shaped me as a leader and as a woman of God and this was a result of Christian community living, the encouragement and support of Elisa/Leroy (City Directors), curriculum we read, and just spending time in the Word. Because I actually lived with the people we were praying for and getting to know (in our neighborhood), I was able to really develop a love for these people and see them in a way that God sees them. I have come to value relationships with others so much more.

I can’t really expand on this—MY just allowed Abby to develop the gifts and talents she already had. It allowed her to be in an environment entirely removed from her Wisconsin upbringing. She was a House Leader, so that definitely helped her develop some leadership skills, & exposed her to the challenges of overseeing a group of women. She was mentored by folks like Leroy & Elisa, and I’m sure she really grew under their influence.

What is your overall impression of Mission Year?

[Abby] Great program. Would recommend it to others. Can’t be a slacker. Must be passionate.

Amen! I would wholeheartedly recommend this program to any other young person. I hope that some of Abby’s younger siblings would someday consider this option. You have my 100% recommendation as a parent!

Can you give some words of wisdom to parents to potential Team Members?

[Abby] Don’t worry about your kids. They will be fine.

It’s hard not to worry about your kids, but that would be the case whether she had a “regular” job locally, or if she were traveling abroad. The safest place to be is in God’s will…if God has called a young person to MY or any other mission field, we as parents need to trust that He is able to look out for them. The trade-off for Abby has been an incredible year of growth & relationships—something she will carry with her the rest of her life!