I can’t believe I am back on American soil! This is such a surreal feeling as I sit in Starbucks and think about all of the lessons I’ve learned this year.
The last 11 months have been some of the hardest yet most rewarding in all of my life. There are so many things I’d like to share with you. But for now, here are 11 FAQ’s! I hope you learn something from my year. I surely have!
————–
What have you learned most about yourself through the race?
This is a great question. I have learned so much about myself, my limits in my vulnerability and love for inspiring youth. However, What I’ve truly learned this year about myself is to never compromise myself for anyone. I am a sweet 18 year old looking, 55 year old thinking (and sometimes acting, lol) 30 year old woman with a brown face and thick coily hair. Who I am is perfect. Don’t get me wrong, I do think we can all continue to grow and desire more and more of Christ’s character, however, I believe people often confuse ones God given confidence with pride and arrogance. I want others to know who I am, where I stand on certain issues and why I love myself… because it is the way God made me. Most of us don’t embrace who we truly are. I want to dedicate my life telling other brown face girls they are perfect too, because it is the way God made them. There is no need to indefinitely alter ourselves to become something we are not.
Knowing what you know now, would you do the World Race all over again?
I have had so much internal growth this year. Knowing what I know now, I would absolutely do the race again and would drag some of my friends along with me. There is so much growth that comes with living in tents, “showering” in buckets, loving on smiling African children and learning what it means to truly love from young Asian children.
What is one highlight you’ll remember from every country you’ve stepped foot in?
I really enjoy this question. Here goes..
Tegucigalpa, Honduras– A family I met in the village who was very poor and had no help. My team introduced her to our contact and I’ve heard great things transpired after their initial meeting. I know God will continue to take care of their family.
Antigua/ Quiche, Guatemala– There were great ministry opportunities in the mountains of Guatemala with the Mayan population. Our contacts Sally and Irv took some medical professionals and me to their clinic in the mountains. I got to see patients and integrate with the community by sitting on porches, learning how to weave their beautiful fabrics together while wearing their clothes, laughing and praying with them. God bless them.
San Salvador, El Salvador– Many memories here. This was by far a favorite month. I enjoyed the ministry, the people, the food and my team. However, a favorite was meeting my late grandfather’s BEST friend in a local church there! What an amazing God moment.
Istanbul, Turkey (layover)- Eating Popeye’s Chicken in the airport with Jinnae and Dillon. A nice taste of home. 🙂
Skopje, Macedonia– Living in homes of then strangers who loved the Lord and let us stay in their homes for free. I don’t know anyone who would do that in the States. They were simply amazing and accommodating.
Thessalonica, Greece (Easter weekend/birthday trip): Singing songs in over six languages at our Easter service. It was extremely diverse. Europeans, Australians, Africans, Canadians and Americans under one roof singing in their native tongues to the same God. This was a beautiful sound to be heard.
Lezhe, Albania– Meeting Dave Hearn, the co-founder of G42, a Global Leadership Academy in Spain I am thinking of attending next winter. I had no idea my contact for the first two weeks there would be one of the founders of the school I’d heard so much about and have been interested in attending. Please pray for this opportunity for me to come to pass and for me to have peace about all decisions I make until to this point.
Rome, Italy (day trip/layover)- Meeting up with one of my best friends Phil who flew all the way from Atlanta to spend 10 hours with me while meeting other World Racers! Phil is such a true friend. He treated my friends and me to a meal and we all had a great day sight seeing and catching up. 🙂
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia (layover)- all of the beautiful African women flight attendants and workers I noticed all over the airport. They were all so beautiful, warm and welcoming.
Lusaka, Zambia– Dancing in the living room to a traditional Christian Zambian song with my contact, Pastor Kebby, his wife, and all of the members of the host family we lived with. “Aaaayyyyyyy, My God is good, oh!”
Lilongwe, Malawi– Blessings!!!! Everything he did. Everything he is! Blessings was one of my favorite contacts by far! I hope to visit him again and hopefully with a group of people willing to get their hands dirty for the Lord.
Gorongosa/Caia, Mozambique– So many memories! My friend Nelson, Stacie and me walked to the store to get some water and outside there was a blind woman and her son asking for money. Stacie said, “We don’t have money but we have something better than that. Let me tell you about a man named Jesus…” A large group of people gathered. The gospel was preached to that entire group and so many accepted the Lord that night. My fondest memory of that night was holding the hand of the blind woman and leading her to church for an evening revival we were having. On the way, Nelson had everyone saying “vir a igreja! (come to the church)!” to each person we passed. More people joined our crowd as we got closer and closer to the church. It is such a vivid memory that pops into my mind often. It kind of reminds me of the scene in The Color Purple when Shug Avery came into the church to sing for her father who was the Pastor.
Nairobi, Kenya (layover)- The time I was able to get away with Wendy and Stacie, eat some good food at a restaurant, talk to people from all over the world and relax. I love busy airports. They are great ministry opportunities.
Chiang Mai, Thailand– Seeing how God provided for my mother to fly to Thailand to do ministry with me for the week! It was such a good time being able to serve alongside of her. Another top memory for me would be Skyping with my college Dean. She asked me to be the commencement speaker for the Florida A&M University School of Nursing Commencement Ceremony! This is truly an honor and the speech is in a couple of days. If you think about it, please say a prayer for me on Friday December 12th!
Phnom Penh, Cambodia– My entire experience at the International Theological College & Seminary I taught in that month. The students and professors impressed me so much. I enjoyed teaching and hanging out with them. I will never forget our game of “Sardines”. It was a time we got to really have fun and fellowship with them. They work harder than any other culture I’ve been exposed to and I admire each and every one of them.
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia– So many great memories! My favorite is being able to meet up with my Philly friends who moved there years ago. When my friend Yusuf told me he was leaving the USA 5 years ago, I thought I’d never see him again. Knowing Malaysia would be my final stop on the trip, I’d waited all year to see his brother and him and it finally happened! They are great Muslim men and it was so good to talk to them, hear their perspectives on religion in the country, and love them for the men they are.
Guangzhou, China (final layover)– Enjoying one final meal with Heidi. I realized in this airport that I made a lot of friends and I plan to keep in contact with them for the long haul. I didn’t realize how deep some of my bonds were.
Is there anything you regret or would do differently in terms of the race?
Before I left for the race, I thought about regret. There had been so many things in my life I’ve regretted before coming on the race. I told myself if I was going to do this trip, I was going to have little expectations and be all in so I would not have any regrets. And that is exactly what I did. I honestly cannot say I have any regrets. I also no longer regret anything in my past. I’ve embraced those things and believe they’ve added value to this journey I call my life.
Are you having a welcome home party/hosting something for your supporters upon your return?
Yes, On December 6, I co-hosted a Toy Drive Charity event for foster children living in Philadelphia. It was a great way to give back while seeing some of my loved one whom I hadn’t seen in a year. For all of my supporters, I will be having an event to highlight videos from my trip, documentary style! I truly appreciate all of you for your continued support and partnership in this ministry. I will announce the tentative dates for this event and it will be free for all of my supporters. Please be on the lookout for that in early 2015.
How did you enjoy your mission?
I enjoyed it very, very much cousin Steve! Love you! 🙂
Do you plan to return to any of the countries you’ve been to?
I loved each and every country I’ve been to. Even when I experienced racism in Eastern Europe, I still enjoyed the beauty of the countryside and am not fazed by ignorance. If given the opportunity, I would absolutely go back to each of the countries I’ve visited this year.
What was your favorite month?
Mozambique was the hardest month to leave. I cried for two days because I was leaving some great friends. If I judged my favorite month by my reaction to leaving the country, Mozambique would win that competition hands down. I still miss and love you Marta, Nelson, Angelique and Paulina. Xoxo!
What is the hardest thing you’ve done this year? Craziest?
The hardest thing I’ve done this year is living in community. At first, it didn’t bother me because I enjoy getting my energy from others. However, after months and months of never being alone, I started to feel claustrophobic. It began in Zambia when I learned my cousin was murdered in Philadelphia. I wanted to be alone to process things. It was hard to be around people at times and never being able to leave. However, I learned so much through living in community and wouldn’t change it for anything. The craziest things I’ve done on the race would be playing with tigers and getting a tattoo. My tattoo is small and on my hand. It reads, “but God…”. I am asked about my tattoo at least four times a week and get to tell them about the “but God” in my many stories and hope to help them find the “but God…” in theirs.
What is an important lesson you’ve learned this year that you can teach others?
When you follow God, He will order your steps; it’s not just a song. When you completely surrender your all to God (and I do mean your all), He turns victims into victors, mess into messages, tests into testimonies and trials into triumphs. I know you’ve heard that saying before, but it rings true in my life. I never thought I would be where I am today and this is only the beginning of the rest of my life. Most importantly, I realize this journey was never about me. This journey is about God. I am merely a vessel and He gets all of the glory.
What are you most excited about in regards to coming home?
Seeing all of my family and other loved ones… also extremely excited about the possibility of new loved ones (smiles).
——————-
Thanks to everyone who has read my blogs and supported me this year through prayer, encouragement, monetary donations, etc.! I am forever grateful to you and will never forget the sacrifices some of you made in partnering with me. I truly love you all.
This is just the beginning……
XOXO,
Belle
