Expectations for the race
We have an assignment to write about our expectations of the trip. I have a hard time accessing my expe
ctations readily, but our expectation exercise at training camp was helpful, so I will write in that manner.
My expectations of…
My team: I expect that my team is going to stretch me. I also think I will be able to challenge and stretch them to see them become all God has created them to be as well. I expect us to have many crazy experiences and see God move mightily in and through us. I expect we will be able to work together, promoting one another to use our gifts for the glory of God. I expect it to be really hard at times but I expect we will work through them together. I expect to be hurt and to hurt others, but I also expect to grow and deepen our relationships because of it. I expect us to become like family. I also expect us to have a lot of fun.
Ministry: I expect to see God move in unexpected ways. I believe we will see God move in ways none of us could ever preconceive. I expect for lives to be changed as a result of the Gospel. I expect relationships to be built and Jesus to be glorified. I expect to find ministry in places we never expected with people we never would have thought to minister to. In short, I expect to be humbled by God’s means and direction He gives us in ministry. But in any case, I expect Him to be glorified and people will come to know Him. I also expect to fall in love with the people we meet and minister to and with. I expect it to be very difficult to leave every time we go to a different country.
Travel: I expect this to be hard and uncomfortable. I expect to be taking means of transportation we never would have chosen in the first place. I also expect to understand transportation in the third world better by participating in it. I expect to have to trust people in this and God for His protection and provision.
Food: I expect this to be weird. I also expect it to be really good at times and really gross at times. I expect this to be one of the bigger challenges on the trip as I know I will miss food from home in the course of 11 months.
Lodging: I expect this to be varied and interesting. I expect to make use of my tent. I expect to be cold or extremely hot at times. I expect to stay in dirty places. I expect to have my space invaded and to be frustrated by that.
Communication: I expect this to take a lot of time and effort. I expect to have to ask a lot of questions and be extremely patient. I know we will have to work through this very carefully with love and understanding. I also expect my communication with people at home to be very limited. And although I know that will be hard, I also know it will help me focus on the ministry at hand and keep me attentive to my teammates needs.
