The expectations of a trip of this magnitude are almost completely going to be blown to smitherines I am sure, however, I would like to take a stab at these 11 months for the purpose of being able to look back and see what i thought it was going to be like and then how it actually was–almost like a verbose time capsule.
First off, I expect to be rocked, and hard. I am so used to being able to shower before climbing into my queen sized bed with my pillow and as many or as few blankets as I want. I am used to being able to open the cupboards and eat whatever food I can find. I am used to being comfortable, frankly, I like being comfortable; and if i'm being even more honest, I'm not so sure I like the idea of being uncomfortable, let alone for 11 months. I am so blessed at home here in the protected U.S. of A. That being said, I have watched quite a few videos of the Racers before me, so I am basing a lot of my expectations on those videos (that could be cheating actually… oh well.)
Secondly, I expect some awesome worship times. Maybe even a few all-nighters filled nothing short of pure worship in song and prayer to the awesome God that we serve. I really hope that there is a person on my squad that plays guitar or some musical instrument that we can sing to.
I expect homesickness, anger, love, appreciation, fear, victory, brokenness, growth, maturity, sleep deprivation, hunger, the "runs," newfound and lifelong friendships, and most of all to experience God in ways that I never have before.
I've heard they tell you at training camp, "don't have very many expectations because they will most likely all be shattered" and I've tried to take this into account, but even with saying that I don't have very many expectations, there are still a lot of assumptions and ideals that are being projected in my head. I really hope and pray that ultimately God will use me in whatever way He sees fit, and that I will grow closer to Him and also to some pretty cool people that love Him as well. Those are really the big things I desire to get out of this trip. Of course I want a renewed sense of patience, a deeper understanding of how God loves me and a deeper sense of love for others, a heart that breaks for the same things that break Christ's heart, but i'm saying if i had to boil it down into just a few things, those would be the few i would choose.
