Hello parents!
I’ve been so excited for my mom coming to Africa, I started to put together a list of trips and tricks for her. A few hours later, I decided to just post here for everyone to check out 🙂 Hope it helps you as you prepare to join the World Race!
Speaking ‘Racer’:
As part of the World Race, we’ve been living and breathing the World Race for 7 months straight now! Many times we Racers are literally the ONLY people who can speak English around, so we tend to talk to each other a lot. As such, we have developed our own language. While it still resembles English, our conversations are littered with words like “debrief”, “feedback”, and “bougie*”, along with phrases like “I want to encourage you”, “squad leaders”, “raised up”, etc. I promise you this- spend 1-2 months with us and you will catch on to everything pretty quickly. However, for the parents that would like to speak World Race K Squad now, my friend Taylor created a collaborative blog where we made a guide to our ‘World Race’ speech (I wrote the team definition!). I would definitely recommend reading it! Taylor’s Blog: http://taylorhill.theworldrace.org/?filename=the-world-race-dictionary-wr-slang
For example: One word that tends to fly around is “bougie”. Taken from the term bourgeoisie (French, wealthy class), we use it to describe awesome accommodations (like running water or the ever elusive hot water shower), etc. And just like that you are on your way to speaking K Squad Racer!
Conversations with Your Racer:
When I see my mom, I know I’m going to be excited, happy, crying, jumping up and down… and a little bit scared. Life has been so different here; reality seems to be suspended. Our daily norms are so far from anything that I could have imagined before the Race. Peeing in a field is now considered bougie compared to some of the squat-a-potties we have seen. Hot water is an etherial foreign concept most of the time. Bus rides with chickens are fun and entertaining. These things are the things I see as normal life, and it just shows how much the Race grows you. So seeing my mom will be both so joyous and a bit of a shock since I haven’t seen her since I left.
Keep this in mind with your Racer! Emotions will be running high when you get to see them, there are tons of experiences to share, and also (possibly) tons of things to discuss. We have all been growing and maturing during this journey (whether we know it or not), and with that growth comes the ability to see issues in our life more clearly. That means that as we grow we see more of the issues, sin, hurt, unforgiveness, etc. in our lives. And, as you are our parents, our oldest friends, one of the biggest influences in our lives, some of that may have to do with you. I don’t say that lightly, so I encourage you to be praying now for those conversations and the growth that will happen between your child and yourself. Pray that these conversations happen! Pray that you grow and experience God so much more clearly through this time!
Preparing Yourself Mentally for the Race:
Pray! Read the Bible! Then drop all the expectations you have and embrace the experience. Make the journey round the world to do God’s will and seek His face and God will bless your time with us.
Packing:
Bring less than you think you will need… Can’t lie, I haven’t been to Africa yet but for the last 7 months we have found everything we really need any place we go. You can usually buy what you need if you need it. God also provides the things you really really need.
the one exception…
If you are packing food for your Racer, bring a ton! My team and I dream of favorite candies, cheez-its, etc. The longer I am away from home the more I miss foods that I grew up on and that I used to enjoy with my family. Getting a baggie of cheez-its brought around the world seems a bit silly to rational me, but when I think of cheez-its, I think about movie nights with the family, food fights (sorry mom!), etc. They invoke memories of fun and family, and I miss them dearly. We can live without snacks and gifts of food, but if you bring them they would be GREATLY appreciated!
Conversions:
South Africa’s currency is called the Rand. Right now 1 USD is worth ~12 Rand.
Swaziland’s currency is called the Lilangeni. Right now 1 USD is worth ~12 Lilangeni.
Random Money Advice:
Bring USD with you. Some places in South Africa only accept USD.
Make sure the bills you bring are in good shape (no rips) and were printed after 2003.
Don’t exchange USD for local currency on the streets. It’s illegal.
Keep the money you are going to use casually somewhere accessible, but keep any large amount of additional money hidden well (money belt, etc.). You don’t want to pay for a water bottle by taking a week’s supply of money out of your pocket and flipping through it.
Fun things to Bring your Kids!
- a printed family photo
- a letter from the family
- their favorite non-chocolate snack(s)
- a couple protein bars or a bag of beef jerky
- whatever they ask for 🙂
I can promise you, whether they have said it or not, your Racer is so excited to see you! For proof of this, see the below ‘my mom is coming to Africa’ face. In fact, I can’t wait to meet you and see all the people that I’ve been hearing about for 7 months. God bless and safe travels!
In Him,
Kristin
