1. What has been the “best” and “worst” thing about your world race experience so far? (Mary R.)
Best: Seeing the beauty of God’s creation. From oceans, to flowers, to land, to the smiles on children’s faces, and the goodness in peoples’ hearts, I am left in awe of the beauty I have seen on this trip. One of the most amazing days was a day off when we went snorkeling in Thailand. I have never seen anywhere so beautiful in my life.
Worst: Worst? I’m not sure. One of the hardest for me has been lack of personal space. I thoroughly enjoy having my own room with a door I can shut. Here, I’m constantly surrounded by people and there is nowhere to get away when you need a breather.
On a less selfish note, seeing the evil in this world and the limited ability we have to change things (good thing God is moving).
2. What does torpedo soup taste like? (JET 1)
The taste was a little like Ramen Soup. Taste wasn’t the issue. Texture, on the other hand, was a different story. Nastiest, chewiest thing I have ever put in my mouth. SICK.
3. Why are you jumping in the picture above. I can’t read foreign languages, but I think it says don’t jump. (JET 1)
‘Cause I’m a rebel, bro. Too bad you can’t read foreign languages… Good thing the sign is in English
J4. My question is simple, really. Do you think we could celebrate your birth together next year? (CJ)
Short Answer: YES!
Long Answer: You’ll have to come to Michigan so I can celebrate with you AND my Mom J
5. My question is how has your mission trip been so far in relation to how you thought it would be? (MOMMY!)
Really different. It’s been a lot harder than I imagined. Some days make Teach For America seem like a breeze. The things I thought would be easy haven’t been. On the flip side, some things I thought would be challenging haven’t been. Ministry has oftentimes looked different than I anticipated. I didn’t think living with others would be such a challenge. I thought I would come on this trip and my relationship with God would instantaneously become AMAZING. I though all the issues I struggle with would be gone. Funny how that doesn’t happen.
Despite it not being what my expectations were, it has been great. I am learning a lot, being blessed a lot, blessing a lot, and (hopefully) growing a lot. It’s also made me want to be home in Michigan (happy, Mom?) and miss my family more than ever before. We’ll see what God has in store J
6. Has this experience changed any of your views about life and/or the world? ( J. Mack)
I think this is a question that will become easier to answer a couple months after the trip-after I have had some time to look back on things and am able to process it all. Right now, almost at the halfway point of the trip, there are two things that stick out to me the most.
1. God doesn’t need us to do his work. We come and we go and God is still there, constant, ever-present, moving in all things. It is an honor and privilege that we get to be tools in His hand. He will use us, but does not need us.
2. We do not earn God’s love. He loves us because He loves us. No amount of good works I do, no matter how long my resume, no matter how good or wicked my heart is, He loves me the same. Nothing we do can make God love us more and less. I keep relearning this lesson pretty much every day.
In terms of my views of the world, my eyes are everyday being more open to the beauty and the brokenness here on earth.
7. So what has been you most enjoyable moment on your trip? (Aunt Peggy)
Ministry: I have two J
2. Taking our nigh shelter boys swimming in Cambodia and then having two of them fall asleep in my arms on the way home. We didn’t speak the same language, but shared so much love with each other that month.
Non-Ministry: Snorkeling in Thailand! I didn’t know any place on Earth was so beautiful!
8. In each country you have been in, how have you been received as an American woman?
Have you experienced any challenges related to your nationality? Gender? (Char)
The only country this was really challenging in was Malaysia. The guys and girls were split up that month and it was the only month where I felt discriminated against as a woman. To put it plainly, many people were rude to us and did not show us respect because we were women. Other than that, I would say it has been pretty similar to the U.S. I wouldn’t say men and women are treated equally, but it hasn’t been significantly better or worse that it is back home.
In terms of challenges related to our nationality, I would say it has been hardest here in Rwanda. The first thing people see is the color of our skin as they should out “Mzungu! Mzungu!” (Roughly translated to “wealthy white person” according to our contact). Throughout each country people often try to charge us more for things because we are Americans.
9. Hypothetically…if you got to Africa and opened your pack and I had taken everything out and left it in Bangkok so I could smuggle myself to Africa in your pack, what would you do? (Tim Dixon)
a. I would cry tears of joy and attack hug you
b. I would understand why my backpack was still 65lbs
c. I would wonder how you only weighed 65lbs
d. I would send you a bill for the thousands of dollars of stuff you left behind in Bangkok
Miss you, Tim!
10. What is the funniest thing that has happened to you or a team member thus far? (Dad)
Accidently flashing a whole bunch of my squadmates when we snorkeled in Thailand. Funny for them, mortifying for me. Story of my life.
11. Many of our family traditions were actually borrowed from friends and places
many years ago. What might be something you take with you and make part of who you are from the people you are living with and the places you have seen so far? (Chris Viets)
Afternoon tea time! I don’t even like tea, but I love tea time in the afternoons. And though I wouldn’t call this a tradition, in general I want to try not to be as rushed. Taking more time just to sit and rest and be with friends and family. Hm…what else? Not sure about specific traditions, but definitely trying to keep the focus on JESUS at Christmas.
12. When you first arrived on the mission, was there ever a doubt in your mind that it wasn’t the place for you, and what moment did it change? (Edie)
The first month was really challenging for me. Living in a room with 11 other people was enough to make me question if I was in the right place. In general, I was pretty homesick in the Philippines and was constantly wondering if I would have been more effective if I would have stayed a third year in the classroom. There are still moments, but after the first couple weeks of month two I stopped looking up one-way plane ticket prices to the U.S. with my spare time 😉
13. What’s the most life-defining moment you’ve had so far in life? (Di Dinnis)
In life or on the race?
Life: Probably being born J
Race: I’m not sure of an exact moment, but at some point during our bar ministry in Thailand realizing that without God, I have absolutely nothing to offer. It is only when I am turning to Him for everything that I have anything to offer.
14. By the way, what is the problem with my laptop??? Now I am #16, 17, and 18. What is up (Aunt Barb)
Haha, Aunt Barb. I do not know what is wrong with your laptop. But thank you for being numbers 16, 17, and 18. I love you!
15. Since all of the serious questions have been asked–and we are waiting for those answers… Do you have the right kind of clothes so far for your day to day living? Is there anything you wish you had “stuck into the pack”? (Aunt Jan and Uncle Tom)
Oh gosh. In case you didn’ know, I have the heaviest pack on our squad of 32 people, currently weighing in at around 65lbs. I have way more than I need. If I had it to do over again, I would have left half of my clothes behind and wouldn’t have packed such items as 40 batteries (who knew they would have batteries in other countries? J)
And with that extra room here is what I would have packed: another pound (or two) of Metropolis coffee, a full-sized pillow (picked one up in Thailand), a hoodie, an SLR camera, and my Mom. Oh, and maybe some Taco Bell.
