World Race/Expatriate Tip #2: Spanglish will get you surprisingly far. Don't worry about looking stupid, just commit and the locals will help you out as much as they can!
Ok so when we were in KM17 we were talking as a team after finding out just how uncomfortable our time would be there and a teammate jokingly said he was fine going the extra mile but why do we have to go the weird extra mile. We laughed and it brightened up our day. But this week I actually started thinking about that. While I was home in Quincy preparing for the race I thought I knew what I was getting into. I had done missions, read the blogs and asked my questions. But sitting in the blazing hot sun with crazy humidity, painting benches an interesting shade of orange I had this moment of wait, this is my life.
This is my life for 11 months. Crazy crowded buses instead of the comfort of my car. Blazing hot all the time instead of snow (not so sad about that one). Always remembering to put my toilet paper in the trashcan instead of just flushing it. Sleeping on the floor or ground instead of my wonderful bed. Always being surrounded by people instead of just shutting and locking my door for quiet time. For 11 months. And I'm ashamed to admit that already–less than two weeks in–that I started to think why in the world did I sign up for this? Isn't it enough to love God and serve Him in Mass? I could have gotten involved in some ministries there. I would willingly go the extra mile in Mass but now I have to go the weird extra mile because of the race.
But then last night we were at this bible study with 5 local believers and the pastor mentioned (or so we think based on the awesome translation skills of my teammate Jeff!) that God gives us situations in our lives that are way too big for us. That way when He brings us through the other side there is no choice but to give God the glory because everyone knows we could not have done that on our own. And then I felt a peace. Of course I have to go this weird extra mile. My goals for this year are: to become utterly dependant on God, share love and hope with people of the world and give Him glory. This is it. This is my chance. So I'm choosing to engage. I'm choosing to participate. I'm choosing the weird extra mile.
So where in your life can you go the weird extra mile? Where can you attempt something so big that all the glory has to be given to God because there's no way you can do it on your own? Think about it, do it and then write me about it!
Thanks for all your love and encouragement, you guys are seriously the best! When I read your comments I cry because I miss you, and I'm so happy to have you in my life!
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~On a side note the Germans are fully funded!! WOO HOO!!!! However Lindsey, Lauren and I could still use some help so…(dot, dot, dot means I'll let you ponder what to do next 🙂 )
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~Pictures are coming soon! My teammate Jeff is a rockstar and we've figured out a way to upload my pictures without having a computer! So look forward to that!
