Dear Future World Racers,
How are you? I'm doing very well here in Kenya.
I've been trying to figure out what kind of advice to give future World Racers and well hopefully what I have to type is actually helpful.
First, just considering the Race is tremendous and a HUGE step in allowing God to work in your life. I mean it, it's HUGE!! With that, however, you will have to lay down all of you and your pre-conceived notions and expectations of God at the cross. It's the only way to be able to come out without a sour taste in your mouth.
Second, take the box you have around God and yourself down, completely and with finality. It will make things A LOT easier and give you more of a chance to witness God at work in ways you've never imagined. Also, with taking the box down, know that God actually loves it and encourages it and if you don't, then well throughout your time abroad He will probably obliterate it anyways.
Third, get used to feedback and community. The men and women of God you meet on your squad will rock your world and challenge you in all new ways, in the same way you will be able to do that for them as well. It is an amazing thing and I've truly come to love the time to have my brothers and sisters call things out in me or call me into further greatness! Either way learn to love them and relish the time you have with them.
Fourth, brush up on Holy Spirit and learn His workings. He is alive and well and all the gifts the Bible talks about are still apparent AND necessary in this world today. Trust me, you'll want to be ready for all the crazy stuff He gives and calls out of you. It's shocking at first, but after you learn more about Holy Spirit and what He's given you, then it's sweet to the soul.
Fifth, here is what I brought with me on my Race:
- a lightweight, two-person tent (I borrowed mine). You may think that since you don't use it ALL the time that it is not necessary, but I can tell you even if you use it one month, you will be relieved to have done so. Plus there may be a chance you get to use it a lot either way.
- a pack. This will depend on your size and frame and preference. Just speak with someone at an outdoors store or something and they'll be more than willing to help you.
- a daypack. Again, size and preference matter to you. I am using the one I took in 2007 to China with me, so it's up to you. (I decided on mine because it has a rainfly attached to it, so it's handy).
- a hammock. I used this for a few days in Cambodia and then left it with my contact there. I probably would have used it more if I had one with a mosquito net attached…I would recommend this type.
- a mosquito net. I got a hiker's mosquito net that is lightweight and you may not use it a lot, but still good to have just in case.
- two packing cubes. So handy in keeping all your clothes together.
- sleeping bag. I got one that is super warm and a mummy bag. It came in handy in Honduras for sure, otherwise it's been relatively warm in all the places I've been, or I had a bed with a blanket or sheet available.
- pillow. You'll want one that is comfortable to you and pretty much your discretion on what kind or type you want. I've seen every type I think among my squad.
- sheet. I brought a sheet and not a sleeping bag liner, but that was because it was cheaper for me. I hear sleeping bag liners are really comfortable and nice and easy to clean, so your decision.
- Leatherman multi-tool. Any kind of multi-tool will come in handy. You may not use it all the time and you'll definitely have to make sure it's in the big pack before airport security, but still good to have.
- mess kit. I've brought one and have maybe used it one or two months, but I like it and so still have it.
- clothes: I brought a pair of pants that unzip into shorts, two collared quik-dry shirts, two regular quik-dry shirts, two tank-tops (wife-beaters), my World Race t-shirt, two basketball shorts, a bathing suit, a pair of jeans, an under armor super quik-dry shirt, a pair of pants and suspenders I got from Goodwill for a dinner and a 'Rocky' sweater. Now, I've picked up a 'Same Same' t-shirt, a hoodie, and board shorts from places I've been, as well as another pair of pants that turn into shorts, a Nike quik-dry shirt, and a pair of ex-officios. I've dropped off the pair of pants from Goodwill, one of the quik-dry shirts, and my jeans.
- not sure what to call it, but I have a kit to clip and trim your fingernails and toenails and that has made all the difference. Seriously, nothing like freshly cleaned and trimmed toenails. Plus, it keeps them from getting beyond filthy to where you then have no idea what kind of parasites and bacteria you are picking up.
- undergarments: ok yeah I won't talk about those, but ex-officios and quik-dry boxer briefs work well…just sayin'.
- shoes. I got a pair of hiking shoes that work well. It's solely up to you. If you plan on running, then bring a pair of running shoes.
- 2 pair flip-flops. I brought two pair of flip-flops that have now since run their course, but that's ok I got supplied with new ones. I would recommend a pair of Rainbows if you have them because I got blessed with a pair and they are superb. I do not have Chacos, Tevas or any other sandal and am ok with that, but if you think you need a pair of those, then by all means get a pair. I wouldn't mind having a pair of footwear to get into bodies of water with them being able to stay on my feet, but it's totally up to you.
- compression bag. It's very handy and useful.
- a netbook. I got mine from a squad-mate who bought it from a friend for me and it's been great! Bring favorite music and movies if you'd like, or just wait and get it from others. It's great for typing up blogs and when internet is around to be able to use Skype and what not to check e-mail and stuff. If you're a Mac user, but don't know if it will survive, then you have to make the call whether to part with your Mac for a year or take it on the Race and be extra careful with it.
- camera. If you love the countryside or capturing random moments on picture (like I do…aka, the candid shots), then you will want one. It's awesome to be able to take pictures of places you've been, plus they come in handy when blogging or letting people know what you're experiencing.
- deck of cards. Crucial. There's ALWAYS new games to learn with so many people from different backgrounds and when you have a night to pass the time, then it is a lot of fun to play cards.
- headlamp. Definitely a must for your early morning or late night Bible or other book reading moments. Piece of advice here that I figured out: if you take a battery out and put it back in after you use it, then it prolongs the batteries' lives of your headlamp. A great thing to do.
- Thermarest sleeping pad. It's been handy, but I got a short one for me and it's not that thick, so it will be up to you to decide on the size and length of the sleeping pad you would like to bring.
- headphones. Mine have been amazing. Skullcandy earbuds. I've only needed this pair, but a few on my squad have needed or wanted to buy new ones. It's up to you how many to bring. If you think that they will break or stop working periodically, then bring extra.
- Study Bible. I have a three translation, plus commentary Study Bible and love it, minus it's weight, so if you want to mind your weight, then bringing a smaller size Bible is fine and if worse comes to worse and you need to look up things, then others on the squad may have one.
- Journals. Bring these, unless you definitely do not plan on journaling. I don't really journal at home or at least not all the time, but it has been great to write every day while on the Race and now I have journals to remember the moments I may forget after I get home.
I think that's all I brought, but I could be wrong. Obviously the clothes portion would be different for women of God, but you get the point. I do know that you'll want long skirts for Africa, but you may get some of free tables or countries you go to and find a pattern you love, so again up to you. Toiletries and other things like that you can find in pretty much every place you go. However, if you have a particular brand or type you use for whatever reason and cannot part with not having it, then bring enough of it. You may be able to find it, but like Old Spice, I've only found in two of the countries I've been to.
Things I have found useful that others have brought:
- first-aid kits
- speakers for computers and iPods
- external harddrive
- guitars (if only I knew how to play)
- headphone splitters
- card games like Saboteur (I'd love to have Munchkin on me basically…haha)
- books (if weight of your pack is an issue, then just get books as you go along from squadmates and teammates)
That is all I can think about at this moment, but there's probably other things. Oh, definitely look to your route and look into the areas that you definitely NEED malaria medicine, because not all places will it be present and also depends on the time of year you go to certain places. Africa, however, is mandatory to have malaria medications, so don't skimp here. If it's not possible to get, then the Lord will provide them for you through your squad or you can get them in other countries (usually for cheaper, so yeah it's up to you to decide how to get what you need).
Anything else that is on your heart to bring, then bring. Basically, pray about what you need to bring and the Lord will reveal to you the essentials. I should have done that more, to be honest.
Sixth, be open and teachable. Be ready to learn, ready to teach, ready to share whatever God lays on your heart, whether it is for you or for others. Be willing to do the hard things and learn the hard truths about life. Always be able to love and serve those around you, your squad, contacts, or other people you meet on the way.
Seventh and finally, come as an open book and unmasked. Don't put walls around you and your past or on who God created to be. It makes things easier, but of course, you'll learn through experience just who God has called you to be. Also, be prepared to be wrecked, broken, and torn apart by a God who loves you and desires you to be ever closer to Him. Be ready that the questions you have long had in your heart will only lead to more questions or more puzzling answers than you know what to do with. Either way be ready that He calls you ever deeper and closer into His presence and be open to stepping out of the boat and into the water to do so. It will be an experience of a lifetime when you do.
Thanks for reading and if you have any questions, then please e-mail me or comment and I'll get back to you as soon as I can. Also, you can look up a ministry in the Philippines called Threads of Hope and be able to sell bracelets to raise funds. There are many options out there and you will just have to pray for the direction God wants you to take concerning your fundraising. Above all, though, do not be afraid of it or let it consume your thoughts so much that you lose hope or sight of Him and His faithfulness! He will meet your needs! I've heard it said that if He calls you to it, then He'll call you through it, even if that means He foots the bill completely. It's been done, I know, He provided all my funds in the least expected ways. Just trust Him and you'll be fine!
Love in Christ,
Your brother, A.J.
S-Squad!!
Be blessed!
