I hope I just got “Livin’ on a Prayer” stuck in your head. Because it’s stuck in my head, too.
But the title says it all! I am halfway through the Race! Crazy, huh? Seems like it was only yesterday I was nervously packing my 75 litre backpack (yes, I do realize that is a ginormous backpack…blame it on the guy who sold it to me), whispering my tearful goodbyes, and telling Jesus I’m all His from here on out. These last five and a half months have been quite the ride.
I’ve made lifelong friendships.
I’ve missed friends’ big life events in America.
I’ve swum with sharks, lain with tigers, and ridden an elephant.
I’ve climbed mountains, both figuratively and physically.
I’ve cried myself to sleep when I’ve missed my dad and mom.
I’ve kissed and snuggled with orphans.
I’ve told outcasted men and women that our Savior thinks they are beautiful.
I’ve witnessed a Love that breaks down barriers.
And I still get five more months of more adventure. I wouldn’t trade it for anything.
This blog is about answering YOUR questions! So, here it goes–
1. So far, what has been your favorite country?
My favorite country thus far has been Thailand, hands down. While B Squad drove to our ministry sites in Thailand, Jesus told me it would be my favorite month so far. And He was right. The country was absolutely beautiful, but the people were the thing that made it my favorite. I got to do ministry alongside alumni Racers, and they were amazing. They poured into my journey in the best way possible, not treating me like a baby Racer, but as a mature woman seeking after the LORD’s heart. I miss them so, so much. The kids at the children’s home we worked with were incredibly sweet, and they had huge servant hearts. They made me want to be a better me. And I discovered a love for 7/11s and their slurpees! All day, everyday.
2. Any new, adventurous foods that you will prepare when you get home?
Yes! Momos from Nepal, pad thai from Thailand, and orange tomatoes stuffed with pork from Cambodia. All of them contain meat 🙂
3. Have you gotten lice?
No. And I pray I don’t. But even if kids have lice, I won’t stop loving on them!
4. How can you sleep on a mat for 11 months?
That is a great question. By the grace of the good Lord, that’s how.
5. When do you get home?
Our squad won’t find out the exact date until month 9, probably, but it will most likely be the first week of December! With the World Race, anything and everything is up in the air!
6. What does your typical day look like?
My typical day differs from month-to-month and day-to-day. The first month in South Africa, my team and I covered about 800 student’s books with plastic wrap, and on Friday nights, we would walk to the slums and pray with drunkards and drug addicts. The second month in Swaziland, I worked with a four-year old who had cerebral palsy. He had the most infectious smile and made me appreciate the beauty that life can hold. Month three of India, my team and I traveled to a different children’s home each week and invested into the villages where the children’s home were located. Month four in Nepal, my team and I painted a mural in a classroom and helped teach English and other subjects to the school kids. Thailand was month five, and we did something different everyday. We would go to the border of Thailand and Burma/Myanmar and pray for the people of both nations. We planned and pulled off an event called “BeUtify”, a community outreach gathering that brought together the poorest kids and the richest kids of Mae Sot. We also hung out with and taught English to awesome kids at a a children’s home. This month, month six in Cambodia, my team and I are teaching English and Bible study at a school and a children’s home. We are painting a sports mural on a long (and hot!) concrete wall and pouring cement for sidewalks at the children’s home. The kids are hilarious and we have a blast giggling and joking around!
Well, that’s month one through month six in a nutshell. Thank you for sending in your questions!
Things for which you can pray: Please continue to pray for my squad as our FINAL financial deadline is approaching in two weeks! Pray for us to be broken but also for us to experience healing, and pray that our squad may stay present! That seems to be the overwhelming problem this month for my teammates and me. We miss family and friends at home, but we know without a shadow of a doubt, we are suppose to be right here, serving Jesus.
I’m a changed woman, and I will continue to change as these next five and half months go by. But like a great pastor once said, “If you’re not changing, you’re not following Jesus.”
