Manistry month.
It's a month that most male Racers look forward to for the entire Race.
I, on the other hand, was nervous about it. My husband and I would be 25 hours apart for a month. We knew it would be good for us, and we would grow tremendously, but I still wasn't looking forward to the pain of separation. I told the squad that it was kind of like going to get a tattoo-you know it is going to hurt in the process, but in the end it will be beautiful and you will love it.
So, as I spend this month as a "single" Racer, I've been reflecting on all of the reasons why it is so awesome to do the Race with a spouse.
1) You have someone to go outside with you to the bathroom at night, when you are too scared to go by yourself.
2) Adventures in Missions has a strict no dating policy. Racers are discouraged from beginning relationships before the Race, and are not allowed to pursue anyone while on the Race. It is a year for you and the Lord. If you are married? You can hold hands, snuggle, and kiss all you want. As long as it is culturally acceptable, haha. And, you don't have to have the distraction of trying to keep your mind off of romantic feelings for squadmates and keep it on the Lord. I'm pretty sure God is ok with you daydreaming about your husband or wife.
3) Wives: your husband can carry the heavies, like your tent and computer.
4) You get the privilege of being an example of a real, Godly marriage to the rest of your squad. Which is awesome and humbling, but sometimes that means that your relationship is under the microscope. When you argue or snap at each other, everyone sees it. However, it has been such a great way for Josh and I to grow in that area. We now have the accountability, and have learned to honor each other even in our words, which has made such a difference.
5) Fundraising. Sometimes, this word is almost a swear for me. The truth is, as a married couple, fundraising is hard. You have to raise twice as much as other Racers. BUT, you have two people to share the responsibilities. Usually, it works out that when I am down about fundraising, Josh is motivated and encouraged, and vice versa. You are not in it alone. You also get the chance to be encouraged and lifted up by so many people, and are in a position for God to really show off as He brings in the money.
6) You learn to laugh off the Baby Question. It is usually the fourth question when you arrive in a new country: 1. What is your name? 2. How old are you? 3. How long have you been married? 4. When will you/why don't you have kids?…It's a good life skill to have. 😉
7) We were told at Training Camp that married Racers don't get as homesick as single Racers because, "you have the best part of home with you." So true.
8) When you are in a country that is freezing at night, (which has been pretty much every month but two for us), you have someone to keep you warm in your double sleeping bag, while everyone else is left to their own body heat.
9) *****If talk about intimacy embarrasses you, skip to number 10***** Month one, we lived in our tent in the boy's camp. Month two, we lived in a tiny room with our whole team. Month three, we had our own room. Month four, another tiny room with our whole team. Month five, different parts of the country. Yes, you have to sacrifice in this area, but it allows you to rely more on, and deepen your emotional intimacy with your spouse. Plus, sometimes you get to embarrass your teammates and squadmates sometimes by talking about it. 🙂
10) Sometimes, you get to take time off from ministry to have a married day. Which pretty much means that you get to have a date day. Once, in the Philippines, we went to the mall, ate lunch, and saw a movie. It was super fun. AIM, your coaches, and squad leaders make it high priority to make sure you are taking care of your marriage. After all, your marriage is more important than the Race.
11) You get to experience a life changing journey with your best friend. It is such an important chunk of your life, and it is so great to have someone who will be with you when you go home, and who understands what you went through, because they lived it, too.
There is no way that I would want to do this without Josh. If you are married, and thinking about doing the Race, I really encourage you to go for it. It has taken our relationship with one another, and our individual walks with the Lord to new places. If you have any questions or would like some advice, you are welcome to email me at [email protected]. I would love to hear from you.
