Half way there, Livin’ on a lot of prayers

Regardless of how long it feels like I’ve been here, I’m so
glad and blessed to be doing what I am. I absolutely love it, and I’ve
definitely had some incredible experiences and memories. There’s really too
many to list, and I’ve talked about a lot of them already, so this blog is all
about things I’ve done or experienced for the first time on the World Race.

My thanks to everyone who has prayed for and supported me on
this journey and made these things possible. Words can’t express how grateful I
am. I’m three weeks shy of the final support deadline and still about $1,800
short. I’m fully faithful God will provide and allow me to have even more
incredible experiences and memories from the 2^nd half of this
journey. Thank you for all your prayers and encouragement. Enjoy a look at what
my life has been the last 5 months.

Obviously
I’ve traveled to many different places. I’ve been to Europe and Africa. In
order I’ve been to: the airport in Paris, Ukraine, journeyed in a train across
Moldova, Romania, Ireland, the Istanbul airport for probably about 20 minutes,
Kenya, Uganda, traveled through Kenya again, Tanzania, and Zanzibar. Yes,
Zanzibar isn’t a real country, but as we learned it’s apparently close enough to require passports to get in, resulting in another first – writing a request for entry without a
passport on a piece of computer paper. Luckily, we looked trustworthy I guess,
and we were in. Finally, I’ve been in the Black Sea, the Indian Ocean, Lake
Victoria, and the Nile River.
I’ve also
traveled many different ways. I’ve driven a car from a right side driver’s
seat on the left hand side of the road. I’ve ridden on a motorcycle – called
boda bodas and basically the taxis of Uganda…and they hold 3 people.
Exhilarating and terrifying. I’ve been in a bus that was forced to slow down to
allow a baboon family to cross the road. I’ve taken a 33 hour bus ride. I’ve
ridden local buses and trams where the number of people in them is over twice
the seating capacity – the team gets real close riding the local bus here in
Dar es Salaam. I’ve walked across an international border. I’ve slept in an
airport, and I even nearly flooded my first Air France flight. Luckily between
two attendants and myself we finally got the faucet to stop seconds before
overflowing. Oh, and on one flight I even got to make one fake landing attempt,
go back up and then upon landing only use half of the plane’s wheels – the
pilot was so good he didn’t need them all…yeah, that’s it.
I’ve got a little sick. I’ve had a staph infection, an amoeba, a fungus and a little
parasite called malaria…all in Africa. I’ve visited a doctor in every African
country. The good news is I’m going to have a killer immune system when I get
home. For some reason Mom took little comfort in that viewpoint. Seriously
though, God has really provided for me in these instances. Much praise to Him.
I’ve
extended my fashion sense. I haven’t cut my hair in 6 months, and I’m
currently wearing my hair in a ponytail. I also have discovered a fondness of
V-neck t-shirts, but not so much the mockery and awkward sunburns that come
with them.

Speaking of killer
fashion sense, check out my friend Steve looking very sharp in his new shirt.

I’ve also
expanded my diet. I’ve had shaormas – delicious burrito like dishes
containing French fries found often in Ukraine and Romania, Hobnobs – the
world’s best biscuits (cookies), blood pudding and oddly enough Indian food all
in Ireland, a full glass of tea – Kenyan chai every morning at breakfast, all
over Africa I’ve had chapatti (basically a delicious African tortilla) and goat
meat – which has led me to floss regularly (another first) because it has built
in magnets for the gaps in your gums, and finally here in Tanzania I regularly
have glass bottled Mountain Dew – a gift from Heaven.

I’ve had
some new living experiences. I’ve spent a month sleeping in a  tent, another month sleeping in a hammock,
and I’ve used a bucket to shower the last 3 months.
I’ve done
some other random stuff that I can’t find a category for. In Ireland I
climbed a mountain and watched a hurling match – a mix of rugby, soccer and
hockey. I watched a major sporting event – US World Cup game – on my computer
at a McDonald’s in Ukraine. I got a tattoo of a leprechaun in Ireland…just
kidding…it was a pot of gold..but seriously, I didn’t. Just making sure
you’re still paying attention.

Finally,
I’ve done a lot of growing and a lot of things for the Kingdom I never thought
I would do. I’ve preached multiple sermons. I’ve done street evangelism,
shared the Gospel with numerous atheists and Muslims, and just strolled into
African homes and told them God had a word for them, and I was there to deliver
it. I’ve shared visions from God with a group of 50 people and told a woman in
the hospital I was so impressed by her joy in the midst of challenge I wanted
her to pray for me (she did). I’ve taken part in an impromptu dance party
during worship services and been told I dance like a real African (greatest
compliment ever). I set an alarm to wake up early to sing praise songs alone in
my room. I’ve become a spiritual leader called and anointed to push and show
others how to come up higher because there’s so much more to see.

So here I am, half way done with the greatest journey of my
life. It hasn’t always been easy, it hasn’t always been fun, but it’s always
been worth it. The growth I’ve experienced in 5 months is more than I would
have experienced the rest of my life how I was living at home. I can’t wait to
see what this list will look like after the 2^nd half. I just know
I’m excited to see what I’m going to look like when this is all said and done,
and it’s got nothing to do with my girl’s hairstyle and creepy facial hair.