In honor of the 11 Days of Christmas I posted 11 things I expect out of the World Race!
1) I expect to find a new family in my squadmates/teammates throughout the race. Living and working together 24/7 means we probably won't all get along 100% of the time, but by the end of the race I bet we'll have learned a lot from each other.
2) I expect to experience culture shock. Each month will bring with it a new culture, a new language, new habits, customs, and traditions. Some may be similar to American culture, some may not. At times it will be frustrating, but I look forward to seeing how people around the world live!
3) I expect to take many different kinds of transportation that I have never heard of, and likely squeeze way more people into vehicles than is recommended. I've seen several world racers tally up at the end of their blogs the numbers of different vehicles they traveled in throughout the 11 months. It makes for an impressive list!
4) I expect to acclimate to a much warmer climate. With AC being pretty unlikely and generally warm countries on the itinerary, it could get pretty toasty. Hopefully we'll get used to it after a month or two…
5) I expect to meet incredible people. The contacts that we will partner up with in each country work full time in their ministries to serve where God has called them. The people that we will meet in each country live lives so different than what we are used to in America and I can't wait to listen to their stories and learn from them.
6) I expect to eat some weird food. Here in the U.S. I can at times be a picky eater, but I'll have to throw that entirely out the window on the World Race. Whatever food is put in front of us is the food we will eat, whether or not we can even identify what it is!
7) I expect to see some beautiful landscapes. From the plains of Africa to the mountains of Nepal to the Great Wall of China (fingers crossed on that one!), every country will bring something new. Whether we do ministry in a busy, crowded city or in a very rural setting, the scenery will be unlike anything I've ever seen before.
8) I expect to rely on God a lot more than I do here in the U.S. In confusing, unexpected, or dangerous situations He is still there and when I don't know what to do He does. I am used to relying on my own judgments and decisions to get through daily life, but on the race daily life may not be in my control at all. I will have to learn to fully trust in His provision and His plan.
9) I expect to live in less than ideal conditions. Bucket showers, squatty potties, and scary bugs are likely to make several appearances on the race. It may not always be enjoyable, but in the end the rewards will outweigh the sacrifices.
10) I expect my perspectives to change drastically. My eyes will be opened to the needs of people around the world. I will spend eleven months in close community with my teammates. I will be living with few possessions in potentially uncomfortable situations. I will not be the same after all this!
11) I expect my expectations to be blown away! So much of this race is about doing something different, seeing new things, meeting new people, doing things outside of your comfort zone. If I knew everything that was going to happen I would be missing the point! I am ready for a year of exceeded expectations as well as disappointments, since God's plan is usually so different than my own.
Many are the plans in a person's heart, but it is the Lord's purpose that prevails.
Proverbs 19:21
