1. You are suddenly very aware of the double takes you get everywhere you go simply for being: a) blonde; b) “tall;” and c) above a size 2. Strangers in the mall may even try to discreetly pose next to you for a picture.
2. Bathrooms are ironically called “comfort rooms,” as the occasional lack of running water and everpresent lack of toilet paper would seem to deem them the opposite.
3. A Valentine’s Day that includes Coke Zero as a gift from teammates and handwritten cards a la elementary school is way better than any Hallmark holiday at home.
4. A beautiful orphan child who calls you “Ate” (Auntie) and greets you by singing “I’ve Got The Joy, Joy, Joy, Joy Down in My Heart” can instantly warm yours.
5. When cooking American food for Filipinos to try, always be prepared with a large backup pot of rice…even if they smile and say they like it.
6. McDonald’s delivers!
7. The poorest of the poor live amongst a paradisial backdrop of lush waterfalls and pineapple plantations – creating a disparate scene that breaks your heart.
8. Mango shakes are a little slice of heaven – especially when they are roughly a dollar a pop.
9. You are amazed that all across the world, there are Christians singing the exact same praise songs to God on Sunday morning at church.
10. When it’s your team’s turn to cook dinner for thirty people over an open fire, the process requires patience, stamina and an incredible determination to make Mexican food. What a World Racer won’t do for some Mexican food no matter what country they’re in… 🙂
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This month has flown by and we are now approaching month 9 of the Race – whoa! Next month we will be in a “closed” country where we are not allowed to speak of where exactly we will be or what we will be doing to protect the identity and ministry of our contacts. I will likely not be able to blog during March or be on Facebook, but I will be back on as soon as we are in the following country with updates and pictures. Feel free to still email me during this time and I will try to get back to you if I can ** hint: my birthday’s March 25th 🙂 **, but please do not reference any specifics of the work my team has been doing this past year. Thanks for your understanding and prayers! I will be praying for all of you too!
