…Well,
maybe not EVERY question you’ve ever had…but these are the answers to the questions
you’ve asked about my World Race! Thank you for asking! So, without further ado…the
ANSWERS!
1. Would
you do it all over again?
YES! This has been one of the most
stressful years of my life…yet, one of the best years of my life. As much as I went
through and witnessed, I wouldn’t even consider not doing it again. The growth,
learning and freedom I found on the race is priceless to me and I would
definitely do it all over again to find what I found on this trip. And not to mention all the people I met and ministered to made the trip absolutely amazing!
2. Is
there ONE thing that stands out in all of your travels?
That life continues. Life is the
same where ever you go. There’s disease, hurt, pain, poverty, joy, goodness, and
peace anywhere you go…it doesn’t matter how the people live or what they look
like…we’re all the same. We all strive to simply live this life in the best way
possible. And the greatest thing stands among us all…One God. He’s the same
everywhere. Despite our different lives…He’s faithful and good and He never
leaves us. I worship the same God as Christians in Thailand in the midst of
prostitution, in Cambodia amidst a history of genocide, in Uganda who’s people
literally fight demonic powers within their loved ones, and in India where
villagers struggle just to survive. Life isn’t always easy, no matter who you
are…but we serve a God who’s faithful through it all!
3. How
many “friends” have you made since you’ve been on God’s journey?
I’ve met people in every country
whom I’ll never forget. Most of them are my facebook friends now! J …so to answer the question…lots!
4. Have
you had FUN while doing God’s work?
I’ve had a blast! Living life with some
of the most incredible people I’ve ever known adds a hint of spontaneity and
humor…pretty much at all times. Whether we were tearing up jungles and watching
our teammate eat worms or dressing up as our squad leaders and videotaping the
results…we always find time to have fun and laugh a little…well, a LOT!
5. What
was the biggest shock or surprise to you on this trip – the one thing that wasn’t
at all the way you imagined or anticipated it would be?
I don’t think there was even a shock on
the trip…it was things going on back home. I didn’t anticipate things at home
changing so much and it definitely sent a shock through my system that I’m
still working out. They told us not to have expectations for the trip and I
think I held to that pretty well.
6. If you
had to do it all over again, what is one thing you would do differently?
I’ve been thinking of this one since
I got the question…it’s a hard one! It’s hard to say because without any of
this past year, I wouldn’t be leaving as who I am now.
7. Out of
the 11 months, which one did you like the best?
My favorite was, by far, Thailand…November
2010. We got to work with the trafficking ministry, The Tamar Center, in Pattaya.
Trafficking ministries will always hold one of the highest places in my heart
in terms of ministry. I LOVE working with those women! I also walked through a
massive amount of freedom for myself that month! AND the culture, the people…everything about the place is amazing!
8. How
would you sum up the year in one word?
Is this even possible…how would you
sum up your year in one word?? Crazy… (but in all facets of the world…good,
bad, ugly, beautiful, materialistically speaking, mentally, spiritually,
physically…yeah)
9. Who was
your most favorite teammate out of all the ones you had over your 11 months?
Well, I could give every teammate a
most favorite title…
Most favorite to be “spaghetti” with
– Carmen
Most favorite to get straight, real
advice from – Nikki
Most favorite to worship with – Amy H
Most favorite drummer – Tricia
Most favorite to speak in ‘Merican with
– Kelly
Most favorite Swiss couple – Stefan and
Christina (I love you guys!)
Most favorite to do Children’s church
with – Taylor
Most favorite artist – Amy L
Most favorite Uno Dealer – Brian
Most favorite Pickle eater – Ashley
Most favorite teammate who should
have a cane – Michelle (ha!)
Most favorite Canadian
Spirit-fire-breather – Cassie
Most favorite teammate with innumerable
first names – Chandler…or Cha Cha…or Chow Chow…or Stanley…or Chandelier…
BUT above all, THE Q ROCKS MY WORLD!!! They’ve become my family and my most FAVORITE squad there is!
10. What
is the first thing you are going to EAT, when you are back in the states?
I can’t decide!!! I’m having this
inner dilemma! Either tamales at Jalapeno’s, a Quesadilla Explosion Salad at Chili’s
or a Bacon Turkey Bravo and a bowl of Chicken Noodle Soup at Panera! OH…I can’t
wait!!!!!
11. Will you ever do this again?
This specific trip…if God calls me, I’d be open to it! J Following the crazy path He puts in front of me…sign me
up, I’m IN!!!
12. How much closer do you feel to God?
Well, I’ve learned more about Him and how much He loves me
and this world. I’ve learned about His Spirit…about His faithfulness…about His
promises. I’ve learned that I most definitely can hear His voice and I LOVE
when He speaks! But, once again, I’m still living life like everyone else. I’ve
grown closer, but it hasn’t been without ordinary struggles of…life. I know Him
more than I ever did before this trip and I know that I’ll never be able to
forget what He’s shown me. I know that the journey has only begun and it’ll
only get better from here! I can’t wait to see what He shows me about Himself
next!
13. What was the one creation from God here on Earth (that
you never have seen or heard of) that left you in AWE of Him all over again?
It was probably the sunrise over the ocean while we sat on
top of a mountain in the Philippines. Or the river in the Philippines that we
used to bathe in…when we went to bathe and He sent a storm to shower us from
above.
14. What person from another country helped you to see God’s love for YOU in a
different light than before?
Probably Pastor Moses from Rwanda. He is one of the most
amazing Godly men I’ve ever met! He and his wife took amazing care of us for
the month. He shared his testimony with our team one night and it blew my mind
how faithful God was. He poured so much encouragement into me as the team
leader and was just there as a dad would be. He was an amazing example of God’s
unfailing love for me, His daughter.
