What is it that you felt you were being forced to do during your time on the race and yet you did it for Christ sake?
I don’t feel like I’ve ever been “forced” to do things on the race. There are, however, different types of ministry or living that definitely make me step out of my comfort zone. Street evangelism in Africa is a good example of that. Approaching people on the streets that don’t always speak English to talk about Jesus was definitely on my list of ministries I didn’t really want to do. I’m not the most outgoing so that’s hard and it’s just uncomfortable in general. It got easier, though. And it got easier to see it as relationship building, not preaching.
Not really a question but can you give us a list of the top 10 sights that you have seen?
Oh gosh, I’ll try!:
- Safari in Zambia and having elephants walk through our campgrounds
- Lake Malawi – itself and also fly tornadoes and water spouts over it
- We had an overnight layover in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia and got to leave the airport. That was a sight in itself!
- Tallinn, Estonia has a lot of medieval buildings and a cool overlook of the city and the Baltic Sea
- The Hill of 3 Crosses in Vilnius, Lithuania
- The Hill of Crosses in Siauliai, Lithuania
- Trakai Island Castle in Trakai, Lithuania
- We just found a sweet huge Liepaja sign on the beach of Liepaja, Latvia
- The Baltic Sea – it’s just pretty and we have a great view of the sunset
- Karosta Prison just outside of Liepaja, Latvia. It’d be cool to get a tour or do the overnight stay, we just saw the outside. It’s supposed to have a really brutal history and on the overnight tour they treat you like a prisoner. Siiiiick.
Recommendations of places to visit if we ever go to any if the countries you been to?
I’d definitely do a Safari in Zambia, it’s supposed to be one of the best. We did not go to Victoria Falls, but if I went to Zambia again, I’d go for sure. The capitals of these 3 Baltic countries are super cute. Tallinn in Estonia, Riga in Latvia, and Vilnius in Lithuania. I love each of those cities for different reasons. Tallinn has a lot of awesome medieval architecture, Riga does too but it’s more modern and Vilnius just because I lived right in the heart of the city basically. And also Vilnius because it’s the only city I found Gelato in…
What’s the hardest part of this journey? The best?
That’s an interesting question because sometimes the hardest parts are the best! Like living in Africa was not always easy. It’s hot, you’re always dirty, there’s no running water, mosquito bites everywhere, hauling heavy water, living out of a tent for basically 2 months is not easy. But I also think it was the best! I’m so glad I experienced it! I loved the people so much.
I know you didn’t really know what to expect from this trip. But what is the most surprising challenge you have faced? Something you didn’t really anticipate.
The most surprising challenges I’ve faced are probably more internal things. I’m surprised by the things that God’s called out in me and the ways that I’ve grown. I’m surprised I’m a team leader right now! That was not anticipated at all. I thought I’d GP it all year long (General Population). It definitely brings new challenges to the regular World Race experience, but in a great way. I came out here to be challenged and to grow.
Oh I thought of another answer to this question. A lot of the “ministries” we’ve done are things I never thought I’d do at home or on the World Race. Lumberjacking was one of those things. I didn’t always have the best attitude during those long days of doing the same physical labor job every single day, but God showed me how powerful that ministry really was. People don’t understand why we would leave our comforts to come do hard physical labor jobs in another country for people we don’t know for free. Especially us girls. They think we should be at home married and taking care of our own children. These physical labor jobs speak volumes on the love of Christ freely given. There is no reason besides Christ. It’s been really cool seeing how these seemingly meaningless tasks affects unbelievers AND believers.
What about the race has been most impactful that you least expected when you first set out?
I don’t know why this question is so hard to answer right now. Maybe it’s because the World Race really encourages letting go of expectations and not bringing them on the race. And also because I knew I’d have a lot of unexpected moments and those would be the ones I grew the most from. I’m really not trying to get out of answering this question, but I really can’t think of an answer! Hah
How has your pooping been different since in the states?
I’m glad you asked! (Kim!) Well one of my biggest irrational fears before coming on the Race was definitely squatty potties. As some of you know, I Youtubed videos for some helpful tips. I’ve come to love squatties! Let’s just say when you’re in Malawi with 45 other people and your only option is a wet toilet with no seat in a dark, small concrete building that you have to flush by exiting the bathroom, filling up the “bucket of shame” from the barrel of water outside and pouring it in the tank, you PRAISE THE LORD when the squatty potty finally gets built!
Thank you guys all for your questions!
I still have $4000 left to raise by July 1st in order to finish out the race. Please prayerfully consider financially supporting me. Even the smallest amounts add up fast! Thank you to everyone who’s supported me already. You guys are the BEST!
