Thank you to everyone who submitted questions for this blog! Y’all rock!
Emily- Favorite part or experience from each country.
- Cambodia- My host. She was a beautiful woman of God who made us feel so at home. She set the tone for the rest of the Race by making our transition the best it could’ve possibly have been.
- Thailand- We climbed a mountain in the dark to worship and watch the sunrise over Chiang Mai. Amazingly beautiful.
- Malaysia- We were in a predominately Muslim area and we would go, pretty much every day, to a coffee shop for Wi-Fi. We never really got a chance to get to know the staff but on Christmas, we were there messaging our families and the Muslim staff brought us these delicious shakes and a note that wished us a Merry Christmas. Such a beautiful evening!
- The Philippines- For an adventure weekend, a few of us decided to go to a neighboring island. In a typhoon. We saw God’s protection and provision all over that weekend. It was definitely one of my most adventurous adventure days- and I made some forever friends!
- Zimbabwe- For part of the month, we stayed at our host’s home. The littlest of their beautiful daughters became my little buddy. One afternoon, we snuggled up on the couch together and took a nap. Such a simple moment but one that made me feel so loved.
- Zambia- My team didn’t have a host this month so we were charged with waking up every morning and asking the Lord what He had for us that day. Every day I woke up excited for what the day had in store. Zambia was an excellent test run for how I would like to live the rest of my life.
- Malawi- Our hostel was right on the banks of Lake Malawi- so dang beautiful. Every morning we had a fantastic sunrise over the lake and every evening (that it wasn’t raining) we could see a million stars.
- Ukraine- I walked into my home in Ukraine and knew I was home. I have never felt more accepted and loved by a group of strangers in my entire life. My hosts were awesome and they loved us so, so well.
- Romania- This evening actually. I went out with a best friend for dinner and came home to some of our teammates playing Dungeons and Dragons. I have never witnessed this game being played before but it was downright hilarious. I loved watching my brothers and sisters get so crazy into it and play their characters so well! So much joy and laughter this evening!
So many experiences… I just picked the first good one that popped into my head for each country.
Jordyn- What is one word that describes your journey with God over the course of the Race?
Freedom.
Jodi (aka mom)- What has been your favorite thing so far?
My team Dynamic Pursuit. Don’t get me wrong, my first team was beyond anything I could’ve ever asked for and I loved them. The rest of my Squad is my family and I love them fiercely… But Dynamic Pursuit is my tribe. My people. My home.
Jana- What’s the toilet situation been like?
Oh geez. Not as bad as you would think. Cambodia was my only month with 100% squatty potty. Every other month we’ve had access to a western flush toilet as least part of the month. Zimbabwe there was a hole in the floor and when you peed, the mosquitos would fly up the hole and attack you. You can’t flush toilet paper in most countries. Asia has hoses you’re supposed to rinse off with and you’re supposed to drip dry which confuses me greatly. Always carry toilet paper on you, especially during travel days. Don’t take anything for granted.
Tina- A) What’s God been teaching you this month? This month God has been teaching me how to lean in and invest when I don’t “have to.” The Race has become less of a “missions trip” and much more of a trial run for month 12, 13, 14….
B) What’s one way you have seen God working in your life? Things come more naturally now. Loving comes more naturally to me. Talking to strangers. Doing what needs to be done. It comes more naturally because it comes from God. I know I’m not “there yet,” but God has been transforming my heart and I am beginning to see the fruit of that.
Amy- What is the air-speed velocity of an unladen swallow?
7
Until next time!
XOXO
