Being on the World Race is an experience unlike any other. You will find yourself in situations so unique you don't know if you want to laugh or cry. Usually you have to just laugh at the ridiculousness of the events happening around you. You are in a culture all your own when you travel with 37 other Americans to 11 odd countries. Sometimes it hits me just how abnormal our life really is. Here are some questions that you will most definitely be asking if you ever find yourself on the World Race.
Does anyone have any toilet paper?
It seems that one universal underestimation is the amount of toilet paper that Americans can use. The worst thing for a World Racer is tofinally find a bathroom with actual running water and see that
empty roll sitting on top of the toilet. Smart people always carry emergency toilet paper.
Are you going to eat that?
The World Race will turn you into a food hoarder if you are not already one. I now eat chocolate in secret and hide a jar of Nutella in my backpack. I kind of hope my tent mates don't read this blog…
Can I wear this?
Everyone knows every piece of clothing that everyone else has. If you happen to wear a new shirt, it will be a huge ego boost because everyone will comment on it. Clothing is a community free for all…You can plan your Sunday outfit using five or six closet (backpack) combos.
Does anyone have a converter?
Any outlets in a house will look like some kind of NASA contraption. One of my favorite games is guess which power cord is attached to my computer.
Is the water on yet?
If it is dry season, water is never a guaruntee. When the water does come on we use it all up showering for the first time that week. Hearing the water come on is the best sound in the world. It means that you no longer have to use the squatty potty!
Is there wireless?
If you want to find World Racers, follow the wireless.
How are we getting there?
On the Race we have used numerous busses, airplanes, vans, tuk tuks, back of trucks, motorbikes, and I have even ridden an elephant! We get where we need to go by whatever transportation is available…which is more often than not our own two feet!
When are you going to shave your beard?
For boys, when they hear ' an 11 month mission trip' it means 'let's not shave or bathe for a year!'. Our boys are often mistaken for Jesus or John the Baptist. Various amount of money have been offered to them to shave. I don't know what most of their faces look like!
Who's preaching tonight?
"We need a preacher in 20 minutes, the sermon needs to be 30-45 minutes long and we may or may not have a translator…go!" Welcome to The World Race.
How are you doing?
This really means, "I want to hear about all of your feelings and what is going on and what are you thinking and where you are with God and what your ministry was last month and what you think about all your team and…."
Does anyone know what is going on?
Perhaps the most frequently asked question on The Race. When are we leaving? What are we doing? Where are we going? When will we get there? No one knows. The World Race is the epitome of flexibility. It keeps things exciting and you never know what is around the corner!
