The World Race isn’t just an 11 month
11 country journey!
From the moment I was accepted to the WR I began my journey.
So as I see it that’s a least 20 months.
9 months pre-race + 11 months = 20 months
(+ time needed to settle back into life at home.)
Right now I’m in the middle of my Pre-race period.
My most recent endeavour is to prepare medically for the trip:
– Prescriptions I need to take
– Over-the-counter products I need to pack
– Vaccinations I should get before I embark
There’s nothing like having a good ole chat with the travel clinic about how many diseases and infections can do me harm while away. Yes she did tell be about 3 Canadians that died abroad in 2013. And yes she did tell me how some infections can cause death. And although I’m making light of the conversation to some degree, it did make me think about the risks involved. Obviously I know there are risks when travelling abroad, especially to developing countries and that there are important precautions I need to take while travelling abroad.
(And yes family members and loved ones – I will take all the precautions!)
All these considerations have made me think about early missionaries. They didn’t just go away for a year, web chat with family from abroad, share regular blog updates, get all the necessary vaccinations (no matter how expensive) and have access to toiletries. Early missionaries said goodbye to loved ones, expecting to never see them again. They packed everything they thought they would ever need, trusted their lives to God and set off to share Christ.
So the risks of the World Race, while very real, seem insignificant in the grand scheme of things.
I am glad I live now. I am glad I will get to stay connected to loved ones while away. I am thrilled 11 months is not a lifetime….Although the adventurous spirit in me can’t help but wonder how exhilarating it would have been for early missionaries to say “Here I am Lord, send me”!
Now, for my family and loved ones..
…I will get my vaccinations
…I will take all the precautions.
…I will have medical insurance.
…And yes…I do plan to come home.
Thanks for checking out my blog!
I am so glad you are on this journey with me.
