A Typical Day of Travel on the Race

Over an hour late, but we know that is the norm

And just when doubt sets in, that’s when we hear the horn

Excited for some travel we grab our bags and head outside

To find no luggage rack or trailer in which our bags should reside

This is a minor problem, you see our bags are quite big

The driver says, “More money, you’re taking half the seats up in my rig”

Oh communication barriers are something we do love

So after friendly negotiation we receive some grace from up above

We’re headed to the border or Mozambique and Zimbabwe

To meet the gentle warriors and to debrief make our way

The first leg of our journey is not so bad at all

Stamped out of Mozambique, man they’re really on the ball

Just across the border our squad mates wave with such delight

Even though we can see them, it’s still an hour ‘til we truly unite

As we must purchase our visas and allow them to check our bags

No one gets in a hurry as time continues to drag

Then there’s a quick and nasty run in with the Staff Gents toilet

And most of the girls say forget it, they’d rather just hold it

Finally across, all 14 girls share a quick embrace

As we see the “Prince of Peace” a smile sweeps across our face

The “Prince of Peace” is the name of the maroon van on which we all must fit

And to say it has seen better days is quite the understatement

But it’s all laughs and smiles when you travel with this crew

Besides it’s the World Race what else can you do

Travel’s going amazing, the roads are actually paved

We’re all so proud of ourselves and the money in which we’ve saved

That is until we stop and the inevitable is asked

Only to be informed that we ran right out of gas

So Silas our dear driver hits the road with empty gas can

And soon a car pulls over to lend him a helping hand

He’s off to the nearest station, for that we thank the Lord

The stars and moon shine with such beauty this stop feels like a reward

It’s actually much warmer with no wind seeping through the cracks

Still the night is cold so we grab our sleeping bags from our packs

All cuddled up together drifting in and out of sleep

Two and half hours later is seems we’ve finally got this beat

Silas’ journey was successful, the van cranks on the second try

So we hit the road again, only one more border to cross by

We arrive right at midnight and had heard this border is no game

We’re on the road again about 3 a.m. from the details I’ll spare you the pain

Of course we fill up with gas and grab ourselves a little snack

Then we hit the ground a running, the rest of this journey’s ours to attack

Yet all to soon the sun is up and we find ourselves again at a stop

And Silas wants to know “Where can this group be dropped?”

We look around uncertain, this can’t be the right place

We see a sign with Naboomspruit written on its face

While Naboomspruit may be similar, Nelspruit is specifically what we said

And our driver looks unpleased as he begins to scratch his head

We call our beloved contact and find we are still far away

While our driver’s only response is “More money or here you’ll stay”

After another friendly negotiation we’re seemed to work out a plan

Yet another two hours later and we’re having to use the gas can

But by the skin of our teeth we pull into the station

Now we’re just ready to get there, so we throw some money into the equation

Of course we head the wrong way and bust a U-turn in the middle

A sign to Nelspruit, a few more hours, by now that’s just a little

So we sputter up the hills, doors and windows all off track

Our eyes are fixed ahead, there’s no more looking back

The kilometers tick away and finally we do arrive

With praises to our Heavenly Father who kept us smiling and alive