Please note that you are under no obligation to read the following exhaustive list of answers to the questions I received. It’s really long, but it is thorough, organized, and categorized for your convenience and, I think, pretty darn interesting. Thank you for all the questions, and I did my best to combine questions that were similar in nature. The answers are in the following order starting with the phrase, “Questions about…”
A. Countries Visited
B. Personal “Not So Deep” Stuff
C. Personal “Deep” Stuff
D. Big Picture “Deep” Stuff
E. Return to America
F. Topics That Were Good But I Went for Humorous (Hopefully) Answers Instead.
G. Advice
**Note: This is the last picture you’re going to see on this blog. I’m telling you, it’s a doozy.
A. Countries Visited
1. Which country/countries are you okay with never visiting again?
Nigeria. Let’s just get this out there off the bat. We were pretty much on lockdown our entire four weeks while in Nigeria. It was hot, crowded, horrible roads, and even worse traffic.
2. Where did you experience god the most?
Guatemala. This has less to do with the place, and more to do with the fact that is was Month 1 of the Race and our contact was a man who lived a life of faith.
3. What was your favorite country and/or ministry and why?
Thailand. I was not looking forward to Asia, but most of us fell in love with Thailand. Quieter culture, still modern, beautiful land, beautiful welcoming friendly people, the food, and beautiful food for the palate. It also helped that our ministry that month was just the guys doing “manly” guy stuff in the woods for half the month.
4. What was your favorite language you tried to learn? and why?
Spanish, because I already knew some and saw a huge improvement, but also Thai because it is so drastically different. “Welcome” sounds like “So what the crap?”
5. The country with the most impersonal people?
Romania. This has less to do with being Romanian and more to do that for the first time in nine months we looked like the people around us. Celebrity status: gone.
6. The strangest cultural quirk that you encountered?
Lacerations on the face in Africa, especially Ghana. The scars—sometimes quite noticeable, that’s the point—are to distinguish their different tribes/villages.
B. Personal “Not Quite as Deep” Stuff
7. What will you miss most about the world race?
Reduction of distractions. I’d wake up and my focus was to serve, lead, love, and make sure I got enough food. Certainly I had responsibilities, but with incredible supporters and a squad that often times exemplified flexibility, the main thing could easily remain the main thing.
8. What do you look forward to with returning to the us?
Driving. My first day home I just went for a drive. No destination. It actually wasn’t for the action of driving, but to be alone and to be in control of where I go.
9. Are you excited about toilets and toilet paper…or will you miss the hand thing you wrote about in that one blog?
Obviously I want to say, “Yes, and even more so the seats,” but we finished the Race in Ukraine and Ireland, so my behind was well-taken care of especially near the end.
10. What will be your first meal at home? 🙂
It was going to be salmon, filet mignon (Cosco’s is amazing), and alfredo, but since I got home three hours later than planned I think it was salmon and applesauce with cinnamon. I love applesauce.
11. What's next for you after the race?
At the top of this page is a link to go back to my last blog entitled, “I’m Home” and “What’s next?!” Click it.
12. Who did you miss the most while you were gone for a year? It would be a really good thing to say "My mother of course!" You may get her deliciously cooked bacon more often!
My mother of course!
13. When are you coming to visit us in Colorado Springs? I can't wait to have your "high altitude" brownies again!
I just got a voucher from Delta for a botched flight, so maybe sooner than I expected. Note: baking directions aren’t the same everywhere.
14. Do you feel your heart tugging to return to any certain people or location?
Long term? No. We worked with a man in Thailand named Veerapong that I am planning on supporting. As you can imagine, it unfortunately becomes easy and routine to say “goodbye,” so while I was fully into what I was doing and who we were doing it with and for, I never felt that “tug.”
15. When will your first book be published?
So here’s the thing, I’ve had more than a few people ask this question or allude to something similar. Let’s just say that when people start rewording the question to “when can I BUY your first book” then I’ll start considering the idea. Thanks though!
16. Do you realize or are aware of the opportunity you had to reach people through your blog throughout your trip?
Uhm…yes, no, I mean, no. I think it’s like teaching: I’ll never know and I hope I did my best with what I was given.
17. What was the best food you had…and why? (I LOVE food 🙂
Best Food Consistently: Pad Thai and most any Asian dish.
Best Food Quality-Wise: Fresh home-grown food in Moldova. Oh what preservatives and chemicals do to our food and bodies.
C. Personal “Deep” Stuff
18. What was your biggest "not in Kansas anymore" moment during the first part of the Race?
This is not the type of answer I was expecting to put for this, but it’s what keeps coming to mind. Here is what I recently wrote a friend in an email. “The situation that runs through my head sometimes is actually when we were at the Hard Rock cafe on Christmas Night. There was an older, overweight, bald white American. He had at least four Thai girls there with him, but we found out that he has six wives. I've pondered this. Is this so bad? My first, guttural reaction is to repulsed. A guy coming over seas to get cheap and consistent sex. But…for all I know, maybe he's actually giving these girls a life. Maybe he takes care of them, and they don't have to sell their bodies to strangers, and maybe they love the "freedom" that he's brought them. That's one.”
19. Your most valued single experience?
With the Squad: Leading a Squad-wide Family Time. (Things needed to be talked about.)
In Ministry: Holding and praying for Sopath. http://westonbelkot.theworldrace.org/?filename=the-boy-who-would-not-smile
20. The most impactful thing you learned about missions?
When you enter a community to serve, look for the Assets not the Needs.
21. What passions or gifts did you discover?
To lead and to be led.
22. How are you going to preserve the "ghosts" of your travels. those individuals that meant the most to you, taught you, inspired you, pushed you…etc…that you may never hear/talk/see again?
Back in 8th grade, while sitting in a van, one of our youth group leaders encouraged me by saying that I asked good questions. I don’t remember her name or where we were, but that has changed how I approach and interact with people. Influence is passed on. I’ve been influenced. I hope to do the same. (I know this is an indirect answer, but I think that the preservation will be indirect in that it will likely be subconscious.)
23. How are you going to handle the return culture shock. its been a while since you have been in the usa, things change, but so much stays the same.
I actually think that the World Race does a good job of giving Racers ample opportunity to prepare for re-entry, so it has been fine. Probably the easiest thing would be to come back and be overly-critical, but what does that accomplish? Not much, and it just breeds discontentment In Scripture when it says, “I can do everything through him who gives me strength,” that’s talking about being content. I’m content, change of culture or not. I’m great. I’m loving life, and I’m more excited about the future than any past years.
24. How is the race going to change how you live the rest of your life?
(The sound of fingers tapping on desk. More tapping. Scratching of head.) I could ramble, but here’s the main ones. I’ll care less about what others think—be free to be myself. I’ll be more joyful. I’ll (try really really hard) to love people for who they are.
25. How do you put into practice what you've learned on the race?
I’ll volunteer to serve in my local community. I’ll continually challenge myself and others to not be satisfied with my current perception or understanding of God. I’ll make a difference in my local community. I’ll be vulnerable, open, honest, and model grace even when it makes me want to cry. I’ll serve the people in my local community.
26. What was a special moment that others might have missed at any point along your journey that God really seemed to have hooked you with?
We got to be the church. The church that goes, trusts, asks for support, sees support come in, loves the ostracized, forgives the brother, cherishes the trivial, literally puts Scripture in application, wrestles with questions, discusses differences, but keeps the frickin’ main thing the frickin’ main thing: IT’S NOT ABOUT ME!!!!
27. What was something you struggled with, but were able to overcome?
(You might have wanted a deep “spiritual” answer, but this is what I thought of. It’s legit.) Back in Guatemala I fell and tumbled backwards down this hill. http://westonbelkot.theworldrace.org/?filename=falling-out-of-controlIt seriously freaked me out. I used to love to climb things. Not crazy freestyle rock climbing, but your low-level risk out in the woods, “let’s do it” type of thing. Two other times on the Race I seriously tried to overcome this fear. It’s as if my body now knows what it feels like to undesirably fall backwards, and it doesn’t like being put in those situations. I’m 1-1. Once I tried to climb this ladder. Couldn’t do it. I also climbed this loose dirt rock face over a river in Thailand. I did it!
28. How has your perspective on American Christianity changed after visiting believers around the world?
Paraphrased someone once told me, “To the Jews Christianity was a Relationship. Then it moved to Greece and Christianity became a Philosophy. In Rome it became a Culture. Then in America it became a Business.” It hurts, but it’s also hard to deny. The thing is that I’ve come to love the global church. Not the buildings, or even the people all that much, but the church that is the bride of Christ. We’ve got a lot of things wrong, but so do other places. http://westonbelkot.theworldrace.org/?filename=westons-africa Ok, let’s try this hat on. “We” think that our Christianity is better. Even the “they”s in other countries think our Christianity is better. (It’s not.) We’re all lacking. We all see a small section of the elephant. How has my perspective changed? I’m excited to know that following God is so much bigger and exciting and joyful and fulfilling than I ever thought. (It’s also really hard, but “hard” is not in contradiction to any of the previous words I listed.)
29. Do you feel like you have a better idea of what God's purpose/plan/calling is for your life after this trip? And if so, what is it?
Whoever asked this question did not use this word nor had this intention, but I’m going to tweak this a little bit so I can mount a soap box. (At least I’m honest.) I’ve heard a lot if I now know what I’m “supposed” to do. I know it’s just wording, but something about previous times I’ve been asked has this tone of “the one thing you should do in life.” So my calling? (I don’t have a traditional answer yet.) It’s to live free from the bondage and burden of shame, guilt, rejection, and fear. In that freedom I’m going to listen to the voice—He speaks!—which I already know is going to say to “act justly, love mercy, and walk humbly.” I’m called to take care of the sick and widowed. I’m called to love without expecting love back, and forgive because I’ve been forgiven. I’m called to set the captives free, whatever that means. So I guess, “yes,” I do have a better grasp on my calling. Much better.
30. Do you feel that you made a difference this past year? Was that really the point of the trip?
Love the question! To the point, asking about the point. I could ramble on about how the “World Race” is an eleven month program, but the vision of the World Race is so large it would be minimized to merely call it a movement. Yes, I made a difference. To focus on a non-obvious example for a moment, unfortunately not in all cases, but a lot of times we were there to serve and bless the ministry itself. The pastor or volunteer or entrepreneur or coach or whoever. We’re only there for three or four weeks. It’s the people who do the sweating and grinding day in and day out without the blog glamorizing their lives that I’ve been blessed to meet. So, hold on. Should bopping around country to country happen if it’s the people staying that bring in the harvest? One name: Paul. I’m not Paul, definitely didn’t wait until the eighth day, but he went around encouraging and challenging the churches. So did the disciples. We’re called to “go.” It’s pretty simple. Yes, it looks different for different people, but just remember that it looks different for different people.
Sorry, the point. For the participants, yes, that was the point. For leadership, it’s a small piece of the pie. Unfortunately the view of the pie takes a while to fully see.
31. There was one thing you said in particular that really jumped out, and I was wondering if you would elaborate on it.
"(I am) More sure of God's power and presence, yet….More likely to vocalize doubts about God and simultaneously feel closer to him."
When I don’t understand or comprehend something, I have to lean on something—or someone–else. For some this is science, for others faith, for others a chair, for others poor attempts at humor. Following God I have every opportunity to ask every single question I can possibly think of, and I don’t need to run or avoid a topic out of fear that my theology won’t hold up. (In fact, I almost don’t want my theology to hold up because I want it to expand, not remain a categorized, dust-free box.) When I have doubts, I am not afraid to express it, because I’ve seen God show up before. As I lean away, it’s as if I end up leaning write into His arms. (Too cheesy?) It’s like I’ve taken a pen, written out all my questions and concerns with following Him, He’s looked it over, answered them all, and gave me a new piece of paper for any future questions. Keep doing that enough, it’s becomes kind of fun knowing He’s going to answer, but having no idea how.
D. Big Picture Deep Stuff
32. What is the main point/idea you will bring back to me, as a non-religious…non-believer, about faith, god, and the place of religion in our current society?
Probably my favorite question for a variety of reasons. In short, my answer is, “I’m going to bring back the same old thing.” Here’s what I mean. (Did you really doubt that I would explain?) As I step out more and more, I’m realizing more and more that what has been said is true, really is true. I don’t want to harp on the wording of the question, but it’s important to what I’ve been realizing. The phrase is “place…in our current society.” (I know it was only said about “religion” but I’m applying it to “faith” and “god” as well.) Let’s try this. We, myself included, try to put God, faith, and religion into society. We question its place. That’s like searching for pizza’s place in a pepperoni. (Weird, weak analogy, but it’ll serve its purpose.) Pizza is far greater than pepperoni. God, faith, and “religion”—Scripture says that true religion is looking after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world—are greater than society. I’m not trying to dodge the question—I’ll come back to this—but it’s difficult to answer a question that actually doesn’t fit into my world view. In a sense, it’s as if society is continually discovering God. We might label it psychology or sociology, because we need to name and categorize in order to bring sense to a seemingly senseless world. I apologize for not having an example on hand, but as I’ve been pondering this question since you posted it I’ve heard a couple “discoveries” or results of experiments and testing. Each time my response was, “That’s in Scripture.” We live in an extremely inefficient world. Every year we send a new batch of children to learn the exact same alphabet that their ancestors’ ancestors learned. Systemically we are dealing with the same things dealt with for quite a while. Sure, we’ve added our own diseases to the mix, but poverty has always been with us. (That’s in Scripture.) We are also extremely inefficient because we make discoveries but those same discoveries need to be rediscovered for the next person 10, 20, 100, 1000 years later. The belief in God by some of the greatest minds in history, for example Jonathon Edwards, Galileo, Newton, Descartes, Kepler, and Einstein, isn’t enough. We have to re-ask and rediscover for ourselves. That’s not bad. It’s great actually. (Now we can have seminaries and Religion as a major at universities all across the globe to potentially bring disunity to churches everywhere.) Refocusing. It’s there. Whether we recognize it or not, God, faith, and “religion” are there. In short, here’s where I’m at. I keep stepping out, asking every question I can, and Scripture seems to be continually validated. I know this isn’t about the veracity of the Bible, because frankly I know very little about how the Bible is different than other holy books. And I haven’t even brought Jesus into the picture. I had this moment about 16 months ago where I came to the conclusion that I believed in Christianity because it was the single most logical explanation for me, to make sense of all that is. Everything else fell short. Nothing else brought me the fulfillment I desired. That realization 16 months ago screwed me up bad. I had completely reduced God to a slice of pepperoni so I could make Him a part of my life, not my life. So all that I bring back is the same old thing, just reworded into my own persuasions using the appeals I know. That’s all it’s ever been, and it’s all it will ever be. The same old thing. So if something isn’t changing, is there something to be said about that? I, obviously, think so. (I really do apologize if I didn’t answer the question. I certainly hope so. See you soon.)
33. What surprised you the most about god during this journey?
He actually does show up, and it’s usually about 1/100th of a second before you want to give up completely on Him. Abandonment and brokenness is a grand thing.
34. What is the most amazing thing you have learned about God through this experience?
He makes life worth living. (Now readers, especially non-religious—whatever that actually is—just stop and think without getting all super-spiritual, WHAT MAKES LIFE WORTH LIVING? You might think of your affection with your wife, your devotion to your job, your passion for justice, your love for your children. What do all of things have in common? Love for something! What is God? LOVE!) Get all the religious crap out of the way and there’s God. Right there, exactly as He said He was. He’s patient, He is kind, He is…not what I thought, or what I’ll ever think He is.
35. If you had the power to completely change one seemingly hopeless situation, what and where would it be?
Fatherless generations. A father should be the first to die, the first to serve, the first to repent, the first to forgive, the first to love, the first to show grace. Not the first to leave, not the first to run, not the first to hide at a bar, not the first to think choices don’t have consequences, not the first to think a flirtatious teenager at a bar actually wants to sleep with a stranger that night. Why do you think we so often look to God, yet also struggle with seeing Him, as God the Father?
36. After doing this experience, what would you say your life is all about?
Servant-leadership.
37. Has your experience challenged your faith in anyway?
Yes. End of answer. No, of course I’ll take the opportunity to express my opinion. When you see men with foot disorders, babies without fathers, same babies without mothers, can ony pray for adorable girls that have AIDS, prostituted women, malnourished children, decaying grins, toothless frowns, feces colored water, and homes made out of garbage located in the garbage your faith is tested. It sucks. It sucks almost as much that I become numb to it. It sucks that my life won’t change after this Race as much as it “should.” It sucks that I’ve forgotten the names of my students that I poured into for nearly a year while teaching in St. Louis. It sucks that I’ve seen so much, but apparently done so little. It sucks that all of my mental meanderings can’t come up with solutions to cure a community crisis let a continental one. It’s not-of-this world how amazing the truth is that despite us screwing this world up on our own, God still loves us.
E. Return to America
38. How hard does it feel to take up this culture with such new eyes? (i don't think you're going to mind the bathroom facilities, though!!!)
Because I’ve seen more, I know just that much more of how short I fall. I’m humbled. That’s hard at first, but sometimes it feels so right.
39. What will you do when you come across the first 'stupid' American who doesn't give a crap about anyone else? (haha)
My mommy likes to say, “I’m too blessed to be stressed.” I’ve got things way too good to let that bother me. (But if it does, I’ll probably try to have empathy, but it might hurt my eyes—and brain–trying to put on his lenses.)
40. What are the people in your group generally doing upon their return to the States?
Some are doing an apprenticeship with the World Race, so are going back out to squad leader future Races—let me address concerns now that the World Race is only about adding to their own numbers. They’re not. It’s so much bigger than that.—while some are managing worship/prayer centers, interning at churches, working as mechanics, retail stores, doing prep work for going into “the field” longer term, etc.
41. Does contentment have a new definition?
Yes. In the dictionary it’s somewhere near the word “simplify,” catty-corner to the sentiment of “stop complaining you’re better off than most the world,” and adjacent to “it’s not about me.”
42. Are you excited for Georgia???
Yes, more excited each day except when people tell me that there is nothing in the town. Mountains, soccer, and food and I’m pretty much good to go. I still have my tent and backpack…
43. What would you like prayer for as you return back to the States?
Specifically it’s in terms of going on Staff with the WR. I need to raise support, which I feel so much better about this time around, but it’s still Round 2. I do believe it’s an amazing opportunity to invest and partner in something great that’s going on, but it’s still Round 2, you know? I guess the prayer is not so much that the money will come in—that can sometimes border on “prosperity” preaching—more so that I will remain faithful and confident in what I feel like is the next thing.
F. Topics That Were Good But I Went for Humorous (Hopefully) Answers Instead.
44. After all the people you have met and the needs you have witnessed, how thick is your prayer journal?!!
What’s “prayer?” Actually, I journaled significantly less on the Race than I do at home. For me it’s because of the lack of consistent structure in my routine.
45. What is the funniest thing that happened on the race?
This isn’t the funniest, but I first thought of this game called “underwater basket weaving” or “Telephone Pictionary” or I’m sure there are other titles. The point is, you have to either draw the description that is passed to you, or describe the picture that is given to you. Let’s just say with a 30 second time limit, pictures can be misinterpreted leading to either more questionable proceedings.
46. Besides family/friends, what have you missed most while away? Why?
Couches
47. The country with the warmest people?
Ukraine. Temperatures hit 120 degrees. (Get it?) Actually, Ukrainians were much friendly than I thought they would be based on the impression television and movies had given me.
48. Will you grab a beer with me?
Only one?
49. Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
Six inches taller, six pack better, but 517 hairs lighter. (The following might be the scariest thing I’ve ever written.) I can actually see myself in Gainesville, GA—where I’m moving in about a month—serving, leading, and doing something that is a challenge, is difficult, but I enjoy tackling. Whew, commitment. I’m not used to it.
50. What surprised you the most about yourself during this journey?
My verboseness. (And wit.) ((And humility.))
G. Advice
51. What is the most important advice you can give me as someone who has never a) been on a mission trip that lasted more than a week and b) ever backpacked?
Be yourself and be honest. It’s going to come out eventually. If you’ve never backpacked, I would advise you buy a backpack.
52. What is the one item you wish you would have brought with you that you didn't?
I can’t think of anything.
53. Is there something you brought that you wish you would have left at home?
I actually mailed home a belt, second pair of jeans, “stay warm” long sleeve shirt, and camping stove. I might have packed less shirts the second time around because it’s fun to pick up cheap clothing while traveling. You can’t do that if your bag is already packed to the brim.
54. Since all of us, your readers, probably will never take or have the time to do what you have done; how can we serve God and learn more about HIM and His character right where we are?
Weston’s Stateside World Race:
- Forgive the people in your life that you absolutely do not want to.
- Be willing to be awkward and tell your best friends that you love them, why you love them, and what they should change because you love them.
- Break down the mental barrier that categorizes the day into: work, leisure time, ministry time, and God’s time.
- Find ten things you have that you want, but you don’t need. Get rid of them.
- Read Luke 10, be silent, pray, keep being silent, and do what you are hearing/thinking/feeling.
- Answer the question, “What’s one thing I know God would want me to do, but I don’t want to?” Now go do it.
55. As Moses, Joshua and Paul were finishing their time as leaders, they each gave a farewell address (letter in Paul's case). In these farewell thoughts, they recounted to those that they had led reminders of God's faithfulness and character. These Biblical leaders also left those that remained with a charge. What charge would you give to a new generation of leaders?
“You, leaders. Turn around. See all those people following you? Yep, they’re following you. You, God’s righteous son. One of God’s gifted, talented, and beloved children. Now turn around. Who are you following? (I wouldn’t say this in the address, but to avoid confusion, the answer is “God.”) Keep it that way.”
Reader’s Score: Look at the scoring chart below to see what type of blog reader you are. Scores based on the number of questions read out of 55.
50-55 Send me your address so I can mail birthday and Christmas gifts.
45-49 Why didn’t you just read them all? You were close.
40-44 Honestly, probably better than I would have done.
35-39 The “Deep” ones were kind of boring, huh?
30-34 You think reading is tiring? I wrote these all in one sitting.
25-29 At least you didn’t get a 15-24.
20-24 (See below)
15-19 (See above)
10-14 I’ll assume you’re going to scroll up and improve your score now.
5-9 Second to last nobody remembers, but…
0-4 Last place!? Thank you so much for even reading a single word.
YOU ARE ALL AMAZING! THANKS FOR BEING A PART A YEAR THAT UNDOUBTEDLY RANKS IN MY TOP 25 YEARS OF LIFE.
