Here are some of my favorite memories, where I think back and say-
“JESUS, THANK YOU FOR your sense of humor!”
If you are reading this, let me know which one you think is most embarrassing/ ridiculous! LOL
Philippines-
Throwing toilet paper in the toilet over 7 times and having to go fish it out with odds and ends located in the bathroom. Thinking- ‘Why can’t I remember this?’
The father of the host family we were staying with gives me a lesson on how to flush the toilet after I had been staying there for 2 weeks. I guess leaving particles for someone who could flush it better was a no-go.
China-
During a serious chat with my teammate Matt, I suddenly got hit with the walking farts, and couldn’t do anything about it, but (for lack of a better term) “walk it out.” (The food in China was my taste buds favorite, however my body was the most sick in this country)
South Africa-
I learned my new mantra- leave the wise phrases to Jesus. While in a bully fight in one of the townships, I thought it was a good idea to use a wise phrase that Jesus might have said in this situation. You know, something that would stump them, I went with, “You don’t want to fight your brother do you?” (you know, like brother in the Lord). Anyway, it wasn’t cool or even close to what Jesus might have said. Thus leaving the wise phrases to Jesus because this was only fuel for the fire and now one of my favorite memories with Amaris because she had to bale me out.
Our first round of team changes took place on the beach of Cape Town. We were given a piece of paper with our new teams on it- that was all folded up and taped. I went down to the waters edge to celebrate and worship God for the new season I was about to go into. Before I opened my paper I decided to sit down in the sand. What I didn’t realize was the that tide was coming up and as soon as I opened it up to read off the names of my new teammates, I was completely ravaged by a wave. Covered in water and sand up to my waist- Bible and journal completely soaked and me scampering to my feet in shock of what just happened. PS the water was 55 degrees tops and the wind was whipping like crazy. This would happen…
Mozambique-
The word “INAPROPRIATE!!” became a coined trademark phrase, as I ran out of the room holding my kaplana (traditional African wrap around skirt) in hand. My skirt had completely fallen off infront of my contact and his African family. I was wearing shorts (thankfully) but they didn’t cover much, especially in a country where your knees are considered your private parts. OOPS!!!
Romania-
We had 60 seconds to get 13 people with packs out of a train in 4 feet of snow. Never being in this place, we were told to jump out of the left side of the train but watch for oncoming traffic (You mean on coming train traffic right?). We had to jump all right, because there was no platform on that side. It wasn’t until the snow melted at the end of the month that we realized that the platform was on the other side and we could have easily gotten off that way, then waited for the train to pass and then cross the tracks safely. Of course not… it’s the WR.
Serbia-
We were mistaken for the national American flag football team and were coursed into playing a game with a team of girls who had been practicing 5 days a week for the past 6 months. They thought we were professionals and guess what? So did the journalists who came to the game. A week after the game there were talks of the game getting published in the local news paper as the first international American football game in Serbia. Did they not catch that we were playing in jean capris, pig tails and different colored shirts. Not to mention the black glitter eye shadow under our eyes that we called war paint? As the Serbians practiced in unison and in uniform, we were still trying to learn the rules.
Bulgaria-
I accidently farted in front of my contacts. By accident- I am being serious. It was so small I didn’t have time to catch it. The only thing I could bank on was the maybe he didn’t notice, since it was on my way out as I was turning away from our conversation. I just kept walking and didn’t look back.
Guatemala-
It was customary for Amanda Britton, Amaris Torres and I to get our work out on to work off all our European winter weight. One of our favorite things to do was go running. Every time we would suit-up in our work out attire the girls would warn us of the cobble stone streets. I would always reassure them that we were careful. Well, they knew better than I did. 2 weeks in I decided to sprint it the last block. As I was crossing my last street, I tripped over a rock and fell completely face down in the street. Knowing that cars don’t stop for pedestrians/ in complete embarrassment I shot right up. Amaris was in perfect view to see the whole thing and give me the play back version, which is quite hilarious. My fav part was the man walking by that yelled out, “cuidado!” (careful) after the fact. ‘Yes, thank you- I got that.’
Nicaragua-
The other day we had a taxi driver come back to our property to see if he could hang out with us and practice his English. Being a team of all girls- we thought it would be safer just to keep our communication limited to times at church. We couldn’t tell for sure, but he seemed to have alternative motives. Anyway- the cray cray part of this story was when Jamie (my teammate who had answered the door) calls Kat and I outside to help field the conversation… When I got out there I had completely forgot that another team had pained the exterior with oil based paint. Trying to make myself look comfortable in the convo I leaned up against the wall. Quickly, but not quick enough- Jamie’s, “Watch out!” all started to make sense.
“AHHH!” I needed to go! The butt of my pants made a wall print and I needed to get cleaned up before I ruined my last pair of shorts.
THANK YOU GOD, FOR THESE MANY MEMORIES I CAN LOOK BACK ON AND LAUGH!
