Hi Friends!
Thank you so much for submitting questions for this blog. It really gave me a lot to think about! I was really excited to respond to them all. I tried my best to consolidate similar questions into one. So if you don’t see your specific questions that may be the reason. I know these are a lot of questions I’ll probably get asked upon my return, so I was really happy to tackle them now and I’ll be able to refer people back to this blog. I may revise this blog after the race. Just left Asia and I’m currently in Africa. I have 3 more months left, so some of these answers are subject to change. If you have more questions or clarification to anything below, leave them below or shoot me an email. Thanks!
1. What made you do the race? How did you start? How did you find out about it?
I wrote a very brief blog about how the world race fell on my lap. Check it out [here]. But in short I found out about the race from Krysta last June, a girl I met at the mall. Her sister was currently on the race and I checked out her blog. After hours of blog stalking, I felt an overwhelming sense of this is what God was calling me to do. In addition a year before, I received a prophetic word from a complete stranger about God calling me to do mission work and traveling around the world which seemed strange at the time because I was just a year into my job in corporate America. God reminded me of this and told me it was time. He asked me to quit my job. I applied in June 2013, got selected, left my job in July. Somehow found myself in Quiche, Guatemala in September and there it all began.
2. How do you get selected on the world race? And how can someone do this?
Being a part of the world race is not necessarily competitive. Once you make a decision to apply, the process entails an interview that I believe is really just to gage your readiness and willingness to leave what you call life behind for 11 months and serve God. You don’t have to be at a certain spiritual level to participate. It’s a spiritual journey in which a lot of growth will ensue. Training camp is a week long challenging process that takes you through a very accurate depiction of what the race is all about. Some people make a decision that the race isn’t for them during training camp. At the same time if leadership at Adventures in Missions (AIM) in also believe you are not ready for the race you may be asked not to participate. To apply check out the World Race site at www.worldrace.org.
3. What challenges are you facing in your own faith due to this journey? Are you all finding it difficult to spread the pure and impure (false prophets- for those who have been exposed to inaccurate Christianity before) aspects of the Gospel?
The race is a journey that will challenge you spiritually. One of the many challenges I’ve faced is taking on the burden of other’s salvation. I’ve been exposed to many other different religions and met a lot of people whose beliefs completely differs from mine. I firmly believe God loved us so much, He came up with the most beautiful love story to redeem us back to him. He sent Jesus Christ to die for our sins and through Jesus and only Jesus can we be saved and receive eternally life with God. For me knowing that everyone that I have shared the gospel with will not necessarily accept Jesus into their lives, breaks my heart. I’m learning I’m not responsible for other people’s salvation. I simply have to make myself available to be used as a vessel/mouthpiece for God to use to share His good news and leave the rest for the Holy Spirit. Some still believe all faiths are just different paths to the same God. I vehemently disagree. There are people I’ve come across who think I’m young, naïve, or completely wrong about my faith but for the most part people have been very welcoming in having a conversation about each other’s faith. Some leave feeling more curious to learn about this man Jesus that has radically changed my life and some just happy I was open to having a healthy conversation about faith. And honestly the biggest thing I’ve learned is, it’s not always about what I say, but what I do. As they say actions do indeed speak louder than words. People watch me and they notice something different about me. The way I reflect Jesus, opens the door for a conversation about my faith.
Secondly, sometimes I wonder if I’m doing enough for the kingdom of God. I’ve met so many incredible people whose lives radically reflect one surrendered to God. Some people I’ve met had to flee their country due to persecution of their faith. Some their entire livelihood entails around serving widows, orphans, and their community. I don’t know what I’ll be doing after this journey, but I know that irrespective of what profession I follow, I don’t want to settle for a life less than radical abandonment to accomplishing His global purpose and will. I want to live a life that is totally surrendered to Him and that will impact not only my community but also the world.
Thirdly, something I struggle with is why my life is so different. Why am I not persecuted for my faith? Why is my life so privileged? I don’t understand why I am so blessed but my many other brothers and sisters in Christ around the world are struggling. It’s quite a distinct contrast. I don’t really have a clear answer for this. But God gently assures me that He is sovereign and cares about each one of His children. We live in broken world, His desire is for us to see what breaks His heart and use the resources He has given us to help each other. (My next blog is actually about this so I won’t write too much.)
4. So what kinds of things are you specifically doing to remain healthy as you travel from place to place?
Staying healthy on the race has probably been one of the hardest task for me. Back home I went to the gym, knew what equipment I was using and how many reps. I don’t have that luxury on the race. For the most part walking is my main form of working out. I walk everywhere. I also enjoy hiking, and I jump at every opportunity to do so. Occasionally I work out (some months I fail completely). It’s pretty hard to be motivated, when you don’t have a work out buddy. But when I’m find other people to work out with and motivate me, I'm usually on my game. This month I got my hands on Shawn T’s Insanity workout video. I’ll keep you posted on how many times I actually work out. LOL. As far as eating right, I haven’t really had a problem with that. I’m a lover of all things fruit and vegetables. Food everywhere in the world is relatively fresh and unprocessed. I can always get my hands on some fruit and veggies. Oh and water is the BEST. Pretty much all I drink, not much of a soda/pop drinker. I’ve hardly been sick on the race. Just the minor cold and cough as a result of drastic temperature changes from country to country. BUT I should add that the Lord has blessed me with an incredible immune system. I have drank from a water source in the village that has left 4 of my teammates not feeling well and some in the hospital but I turned out fine. So I can’t take all the credit for being “healthy.”
5. Most awkward experience?
First week in Cambodia, my friend Daphne and I decided to go explore Siem Reap. We stumbled upon a building I thought was really cool and looked like a school. I walked in without reservation and Daphne followed. A man with an orange ensemble (pretty much a wrap) came out. He said, “Where you go?” in the most broken English, flamboyant manner. I looked around and realized there were many other men in the orange ensemble and shaven heads. I then realized we had walked into a monk sanctuary. Monks are not allowed to come in close proximity to women and if they touch a woman must purify themselves at a temple. He realized we were lost, and we were kindly escorted out. Daphne and I rolled in laugher at the situation. Shoot now the monk is going to go cleanse himself and fast for a few days. It was pretty funny!
6. Worst & best food eaten?
Best food – pad thai cooked in the streets of Thailand. Worst food – jackfruit in Cambodia. I did not like texture one bit. Tasted slimy. Yes, slimy. Megan and Seth loved it though. So you might too. I did taste a fried tarantula, but it wasn't bad – tasted like shrimp. For the most part, I’ve enjoyed exploring different food options and trying new things. Pretty adventurous when it comes to dining. If you ever travel to another part of the world, I encourage you to try street food at least once. They are usually the BEST! I mean the worst that could happen is you go to the hospital and get your stomach pumped out, I promise you won’t die.
7. Strangest place I've slept?
On a 31+ hour train ride from Howrah, India to Kolkata. I had to share a 6 person bunk cabin with 4 complete strangers. Three bed-like plank on each side. The bottom plank was to be used for sitting during the ride and can be turned into a bed at nighttime. I had the top bunk which I think was probably made for people are between 4 and 5 feet tall. Oh the lack of comfort was not the worst part, I found a huge cockroach crawling on the wall of my bunk. I was mortified! Let’s just say I don’t plan on boarding another train in India anytime soon.
8. Of all the places you've been thus far on your travels, where would you legitimately consider living/staying long term?
India and Nepal has my top vote. I loved worked with Bibles for the World Ministry in India. The people stole my heart and I feel are practically family. Nepal is one of the most beautiful country I’ve been to. I absolutely love everything about it. I appreciate Kathmandu as a city and that within hours I can be up in the Himalayan mountains. City and mountains – best of both worlds. There are so many ministry opportunities in Nepal and a wide range of international folks from literally everywhere in the world makes it an awesome place to potentially stay long-term.
9. How do I take care of my hair on the race?
Ahh…one of the more popular questions I’ve received. I came on the race with braids and kept it for the first few months, mostly because I didn’t want my hair to be a distraction in the beginning and I can get a feel of the race. My short answer is simplicity is key. But I know you want more details so here. I generally only wash my hair twice a month, sometimes once. I wash, with a clarifying shampoo (Carol’s Daughter Purifying Mint) I brought with me. I then condition with the Black Vanilla Smoothie. Spray a leave in then moisturize with coconut oil or any oil I can find. Flat twist to let it dry faster, take the out at night and don’t touch my hair for another week or two. I probably could do a better job moisturizing it more, but eh. I will say if you’re natural and you plan to come on the race, I suggest you bring all the hair stuff you plan to use. It’s hard to find products outside of America. Yea your pack will be a bit heavier, but your hair will thank you for it. I brought enough conditioner to last me 8 months. And my amazing squad coaches were able to bring me more during our last debrief!
But here’s some honest talk. You’re going to have to get to a place where you’re okay with looking jacked up sometimes. Back home, I always thought I needed to look perfect and put together, but on the race, the Lord has really stripped all that away from me. My identity is not in my outer beauty. The days when I think my hair looks the worst is usually when I receive the most compliments.
10. Best and worst part of living in a community on the race?
Worst part is constantly having people around you. I live and do life with 5 other people on my team (sometimes more if paired with another team). We spend a good portion of the 24 hours God has given us together. At the same time AIM has a rule where you can’t go anywhere on your own. I’m extremely independent so I often struggle with having to have a buddy with me at any point in time I would like to venture out.
Best part is having 5 other people be your mirror and tell you things about yourself that you didn’t even realize and can make you a better person. Feedback is something that we do every day. No joke. This enables us to encourage each other and call out characters traits that does not reflect Christ. I hated it initially, but I’ve come to have a love relationship with feedback and plan to incorporate this aspect of community when I return back home to my community.
11. What do you plan to do after the race?
Short answer is I don’t know yet. Not even bluffing I really don’t. I plan to get some Chick fil A. That’s priority on my list, then after that not sure. But I presume this question is directed towards my choice of job/career options. And the answer is still I’m not sure. Waiting patiently for the Lord to reveal my next steps. I strongly believe that He brought me on this journey in preparation for something awesome He has next for me. So when I find out I’ll be sure to provide an update : )
With Love,
P.S. I had some pictures I wanted to add but will not be able because of the internet connection.
Up Next: I am Mt Everest.
