Hey ya’ll! So I’ve been off the field for almost two months now. It’s been great catching up with many of you, but there are so many I haven’t been able to touch bases with. So, I thought I’d do a post answering some of the questions you may have. These are the most frequent questions I’ve received about life on the Race. Got one that’s not listed? Just shoot me an email (left hand side) and I’ll be glad to answer it! Thank you again for your support which made this incredible and life-changing adventure possible. Blessings!
Which country enchanted you the most?
Thailand. Our time in Thailand was spent traveling around the country meeting with potential ministry partners for Adventures in Missions. For this reason I got to see the most of this nation as well as learn more about its history, politics, and culture. Additionally, we got to witness and participate in the variety of ways God was working. Umm..yeah and the food and beaches helped.
Krabi Beach, Thailand
How was the food?
Well, I discovered some new favorites. In India I found Chicken Tikka Masala. It’s really tender pieces of chicken cooked in a spicy sauce and served with naan. In Malaysia I had Roti for the first time. Sweet Roti, savory Roti, Butter Roti…just give me Roti! Nepal introduced me to Momo which are like dumplings. My favorite was steamed buffalo. There was also that time I saw a goat slaughtered in Botswana and we ate it a few hours later—it was delicious. I cannot forget about Fat Cakes-thank you Swaziland! It is kind of like a really dense, really big, deep fried donut hole. Lastly, Thailand had the best pineapple ever and the most interesting chip flavors-I came to love the salmon flavor.
What didn’t I like? Rice. So much rice. It may be another 11 months before I eat it again.
Chicken Tikka Masala
Were you ever disappointed in God or your experience; what did u do with that?
One way I was disappointed with both God and my experience was the ministry opportunities we were given. For most of the Race I had a hard time finding my place & use of my giftings. I often felt I wasn’t being used by God and struggled to find purpose in what we were doing. I had to humble myself by expanding my understanding of ministry, depend on God in those places where I’m not equipped, and remember it’s not about me-it’s about loving people in the ways Jesus did and does.
What were some of your favorite activities on the Race?
Zip-lining in Guatemala, hitchhiking in Swaziland, visiting the Apartheid Museum in South Africa, & meeting with the local churches.
Zip-lining at Lake Atitlan, Guatemala
Youth Retreat with Zoe Ministries in Costa Rica
What was your biggest surprise?
I admit I was surprised to see how far the hand of God is willing to reach to draw people to himself. Jesus is not intimidated by darkness, evil, or even self-righteousness. He goes where no one else will go and His love alone changes things. Whether it was a bar girl who sells her body because that’s the only way she believes she can earn money or the child who lost both parents to HIV, God was there. Whether it was the blatant idolatry and worship of false gods in Cambodia or the ex-gangsters in South Africa, God was there. God’s love & presence is a lot more powerful than I thought. A close second surprise was how many people didn’t know there were black folks in America!
Did you ever embarrass yourself with a local?
Several times, but the first that came to mind was in Swaziland. We were in India in month 7 and were told to shake hands and grab items with our right hand. In India people use their left hand to..um..take care of things in the restroom, so it’s rude to use this hand in social settings. So, two months later we were told the same “rule.” I got so proud of myself for “knowing” why that I blurted out “Oh, is it also because you use your left hand to clean yourself after using the bathroom?” I’m grateful our partners had a sense of humor as they just laughed hysterically and said “no. we don’t do that, it’s just a long standing custom.” So, yes. Embarrassed myself I have!
When did you feel most challenged to trust God, did you, and “then what happened?”
I was most consistently challenged to trust God in the position of team leading. I had the honor of walking along my teammates in their own journeys of brokenness and redemption. This was hard at times and often I would try to control their process. About half-way through the Race God began to call me to step away and support more from “behind the scenes” AKA pray more. For example, one night a teammate was crying herself to sleep. My natural response was to go to her and comfort her. For once I asked God what He would have me do, He told me to leave her and pray. That she needed to go to Him. The next morning she shared how she was upset that no one came to her, but it made it her turn to God for comfort and revelation instead of us. It was incredible to see that by obeying God and giving Him space to move, she gained much more than I could have given her. Learning to give God that space instead of trying to “be God” was challenging, but God proved faithful every time to minister to my teammates where & when they needed it most.
My first team: Daughter’s of the Vineyard
My last team: …Drops Mic
How different are people around the world from us?
Not that different. In spite of cultural and societal differences (we’re fast-paced, loud, etc.), the essence of the human experience goes beyond those things. Most of us desire, fear, rejoice, and even cope over similar things. Our struggles and victories are more interrelated than I knew. I was amazed at how easy it was to relate with those who experience life much different than me and they with me. People are people & it’s a beautiful thing.
Did you ever want to leave the Race early?
Nope. I walked through really painful moments on the Race, but I never doubted it was where I was supposed to be. The closest I got to wanting to go home was during moments of loneliness or feeling misunderstood. I craved my friendships back home where the relationships were “easier” and people “got me.” But it was never enough to make me wish the Race away or want to leave early. Community was the most difficult, yet rewarding part of the Race.
Was there ever a time something happened and you just KNEW it was God?
Yep! In Thailand my team was Unsung Heroes. We prayed about potential ministries to spend time with and were led to a pastor in Kklok Klhoi. She was hosting a missionary team from Singapore who needed help with Christmas programs in the local schools. We gladly joined them. After our last program that week were told that we were a direct answer to prayer. Several people from the Singapore team weren’t able to come last minute. The remaining three didn’t see how they could do the program with so few people. They were about to cancel, when they felt God tell them to go to Thailand because he would send them a team. Right before travel one of them felt led to buy gifts for whoever God was going to send. She bought six purse hangers. A while later, she freaked out thinking “what if the people God sends aren’t all women?” You know how the story ends, we were the people God sent and we were six women! While were just moving along and “stumbled” upon this church, God clearly directed our steps as an answer to their prayers. Our time with them and ministry in the schools is one of my most memorable God encounters on the Race.
What were your favorite/least favorite countries?
This was a hard one to answer because I liked/disliked countries for various reasons. Here are my favorites based on them being awesome in all these areas: ministry opportunities, geographical location, relationship with host, and off day activities.
Favorites: Nicaragua, Thailand, Swaziland, South Africa.
Did you build close relationships with people on the field?
Yes and I think of them every day.
Central America (Guatemala, Nicaragua, Costa Rica)
Asia (Thailand, Cambodia, Malaysia, India, Nepal)
Africa (Swaziland, Botswana, South Africa)
As you can imagine this past year was beyond words, but I hope this gives you some insight into what it was like. And once again, I say THANK YOU!
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PO Box 742570
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