Our two months if ministry flew by in Europe! It was such a fantastic time and now here are the answers to the questions you asked!
are you learning any new languages?
not whole languages, for the past two months we have had two different languages. If that wasn’t tricky enough they were also using a different alphabet. I love languages so it was fun for me to hear them and try to pick some of it up. Unfortunately, I was not able to pick up on much more than some greetings, thank you/excuse me, and God Bless.
have you learned any “translatable” skills for your return?
I am acquiring a large and diverse skill set while being on the race. I have joked a few times that I will have a very impressive resume after the race. But the biggest skill I will take away is confidence. Prior to the race when I didn’t know how to do something that is where I left it. I didn’t know how to do it so I didn’t. The race has changed that mentality a lot, now I am much more apt to try and learn and not doubt that I can.
do you think you will do another WR or peace corps after this?
honestly I don’t know yet. I can’t imagine a job or lifestyle better than this. I get to serve and love people while traveling the world and seeing God’s creation. I have heard of a few things that sound interesting for after the race but for now I am focusing on where I currently am and what God has for me in each of these places before focus too much on the future.
who is is your most memorable new friend?
so many team mates and squad mates popped in my head when I read this question! im not sure who i would qualify as the most memorable.
is it hard to leave each country for a new one?
yes! Sometimes it is hard to leave because you really love the ministry you are working with. Other times it is hard to leave because you have become close with your contact or other people that love there. Or it can be hard because you just really love a country. That being said I don’t think there was one country that I could say I was ready to leave. Some are harder than others and I hope to get the chance to go back to many!
how are things in Kosovo, being that it was recently a war zone?
we went to Kosovo for a day trip. The area we were in was pretty touristy, but I did notice they have many Albanian flags, some by themselves and others along with a Kosovo flag. many people there seemed to keep to themselves. they have a beautiful country.
what is your favorite part of Europe?
i think the history. You can see it everywhere, in the buildings and traditions. It makes for so many beautiful and rich cultures.
where in Europe do you still want to visit?
oh everywhere 🙂 I would really love to take a few week backpacking trip and explore all around.
how are you learning to open up to your team?
it’s kind of a jump in mentality. in my experience if you don’t open up then you are pretty isolated and lonely. Many of us have great support systems back home, but we are half a world away and the people back home cant understand hoe you are doing the same way your teammates can.
what was your biggest lesson learned?
on travel days I am a mess. I am a pretty go with the flow person, but once we hit about 24 hours of travel I’m done. I can’t make decisions and I’m grumpy. It has been a growing experience to go put myself in a corner and shut my mouth if I don’t have anything nice to say.
what shocked you the most?
how similar things can be to back home. I figured where we would be would not have malls for us to go to, let alone hot water and flushing toilets.
how are church services the same or different?
they seemed pretty similar. Worship, teaching, communion. I think the biggest difference for me is that I am used to willow, a huge mega church. Many times we are in a living room with 20 people and that is church. But no matter the size or language they all have the same heart.
how was being a pig whisperer? How did you earn the title?
oh the pigs. Well you see when you need to paint the inside of a pig pen you have to ease them out of the pen, or hop in with them. Sometimes just a gentile “here Wilbur” works and other times a little push with a broom is better. The title was earned by spending the first two weeks of ministry cleaning and painting pig pens. It was memorable times, I don’t think I have ever smelled worse in my life.
how have you seen God work through people in Europe?
generosity, hospitality, kindness.
how is He working through you?
He is changing my heart all the time. Helping me love myself better so I can love others better. He is giving me more and more compassion for all the people we meet in all different walks of life. He has given me a desire to serve by taking on the jobs no one else wants.
was it easy to travel in Europe?
overall it has been. There has been plenty of options between buses and trains, but our easy travel is all credited to our absolutely wonderful squad logistic leaders! Kimberly and Cody take care of us so well and take so much time researching and finding the best ways for us to get around!
thank you all so much for your questions! Europe was amazing and I cannot wait to go back again someday!
