I would say this was probably the “story of my life” on the race. They say it all the time; drop every expectation you have for the race. The countries you’re going to, your ideal team, what you’ll see etc
I’m not kidding, If there is one thing God has shown me this year it is that He sees me. He knows me, and He will do anything to put me in situations that I would never chose to put myself in. Now that’s beautiful.
I was taken off a team I loved, put on a team I specifically prayed not to be on, never got to go to 2 out of the 3 countries I was most excited for and I was with people I swore I could never last being on a team with. It’s gonna happen and in the moment you don’t want it to. But HANDS DOWN, I would not trade it. The best friendships came out of it. The most growth came out of it. And through it all I saw how every detail was designed by him.
2. Americans and Canadians speak 2 different languages. (Aka they like to make fun of the way we say things)
Now if you’re a Canadian going on the WR, you’ll likely be out numbered. Be aware they “think” we say some things a bit different. If your american team mates look at you and ask you to repeat yourself every time you say bag, gag, wagon, pasta, zed, and many more, that’s ok. I would do it, it humors them. 🙂
Also washroom isn’t a word anywhere else so…
Oh and don’t be scared to use eh… They LOVE IT 😉 #loveyouCsquad
3. You will never have a community like a WR community.
Yes, the only times you might have alone time is in the shower or while using the bathroom. You will have conflicts and think you never want to see these people again; That’s normal. But I promise, you will never be around a group of people that love you more. They see you at your worst and still choose to listen, love and forgive. And honestly, when will you ever be around a big group of people who call out greatness in you continually? And who want to become and make you more like Christ daily? Take it ALLL in.
4. Doing the things that scare you, change you.
You can skim by on the race. You can say no when opportunity comes (I did all the time the first few months), But that’s boring. Stepping out and doing things you swore you never could do is what actually changes us. It’s what grows us like:
Leaving our families for 11 months when you thought there was no way. Stepping out in gifts we knew we had but were too afraid to use. Leading a team. Giving hard feedback. Preaching. Teaching. Fighting for the friendships that don’t come natural. It’s life changing for real.
5. My God is the same in Africa, Asia, Central America, Europe, Canada and yep…. every where else!
Yes you will experience God! You will see His glory, his miracles. But one thing I know even more now is that the God of Africa is the God of North America. Life doesn’t start on the race and it doesn’t end after the race is over. God moves everywhere. I recently got home from the Wr and had the opportunity to share at my church. I shared about salvations. I shared about the healing I saw. The Lord put it on my heart to pray for people who were sick there. Guys, there were miracles. A man with severe back and neck pain was totally healed. A woman with stomach issues was healed. Jesus!! Get excited that what you see on the race is for Life. Wherever you are. Whether you do missions overseas or stay home this is setting you up for something great.
6. Getting offended is a choice
Feedback. If you’ve done the WR you know what I’m talking about. If you’re about to do the race, well you’ll know.
Listen to one another. I’m not always right and you’re not always right. Before assuming, pray and ask. So many hard lessons were learned when I jumped to conclusions. Take feedback to The Lord and if it’s from him amen. If its not Amen! That’s the beauty of hearing from him, but have an open heart. Be quick to listen and slow to speak.
7. All girl teams rock
Ok co-ed is good too. I’ve been on both, but I wanted to make this a point because so many people get bummed when they get put on an all girls team. There’s something special and unique you can only experience from an all girls team. Really it is a lot of fun and I’m not just saying That. I’m 100% an all girls team lover 🙂
7. Vulnerability leads to freedom
The coolest thing I’ve seen on the WR Is what the power of our testimonies can do. The biggest break through in my life came from being open and honest with my team. A new team at that. You’re gonna have to share your story a lot. It might get overwhelming, but it will and can change lives. Take the opportunity and don’t miss out. People relate to realness.
8.Facebook will always be with me, your squad won’t.
You get what you pour into friendships. You can wish you were at home, or you can love where you are now. This is something I think a lot of us have trouble with (especially me). When times are hard it’s easy to run to people back home for comfort, which isn’t bad, But I learned the people with us desire to be our comfort. They’re probably going through what you are so say hey why not work through it together.
Choose into your team and squad. Month 9 of the race I did a Facebook fast for 50 days with one of my teammates. Our friendship grew to a new level and I learned so much more about the people around me. Not saying social media is bad, I’m just saying it can steal from the moment if we let it.
9. You go to change the world, but it changes you.
Cliche, I know, but for real. The Lord taught me quickly that I can not save people and I can not change people. I can not choose for them. When I learned to just love, my heart was opened to seeing and receiving Love from every person I came across. Their stories changed me.
10. My timing sucks, God’s doesn’t
Before going on the race I sat on my bed and said God I don’t care where I go just please let me have a month at an orphanage. It’s been my dream and I wanted to experience it. Well long story short that never happened. I was bummed but by this point I trusted in The Lord and what he had for me.
Well as lots of you know I’m doing more mission work in Nicaragua and YEP, our ministry is at an orphanage. For 3 months. My God, my God.
He see’s our desires, he just waits till it’s perfect.
11. How to do COOL things
Picture this. You’re surrounded by the same people for 11 months who know how to do different things. It’s Amazing. Learn from them! Some things I picked up were;
How to play the guitar a little better, how to dance a little better, how to french braid AND fish tail hair, how to master the cup song, how to make some sweet guacamole and pico de gallo. How to take first place in iPod karaoke, when to use your and you’re (it’s always been a struggle). And SO MUCH MORE!
To wrap it up. Have fun, be crazy, learn, grow, cry, laugh and Trust The Lord!
