You Got Question – I Got Answers (Part II)

 

Lucky the Lion.

I can say for sure that some of the hardest points of the year were when I was sick. Sickness is something Satan really uses to attack me. There were no other times on the race that I wanted to go home like when I was sick. Those always seemed to be the times I questioned the purpose of this year too.
 
One of my most legitimate breakdowns of the year was when I had Dengue fever in Bolivia. I can remember arriving at the airport in La Paz, my temperature was around 103 and I hadn’t slept in 2 days. I was on the verge of tears but wouldn’t let myself cry.

Then finally I just let myself breakdown in the airport as Jen and Robby prayed for me. The next 2 weeks of recovery were so hard on me spiritually, physically and mentally.

The other hard times involved adapting to cultures, relationship issues within the community and coming face to face with some of the most desperate, hurting people in the world.

What were your biggest lessons of the year?

Honesty, I am still reflecting on this one. I want to think about it some more.

Then I will wait until I get to talk to you all personally and see what the Spirit gives me to say in the moment.

What is the weirdest food you ate?

Honestly, I am not a very adventurous eater. As those that know me best can attest to. But I did eat a few weird things this year.

Are there any countries you want to return to?

I would love to return to Africa one day. I would go to Swaziland and visit the orphans there. Then swing up to Mozambique and visit Mama Rita and her beautiful orphan family in Beira. I definitely hope the Lord brings me back to Africa.

 

 

Also, I would love to come back to Thailand. Spend some time on one of the islands then go up to Kanchanaburi and visit the church I help build,

What kind of ministries did you do this year?

It varied from country to country.

Here are the nuts and bolts:

In Peru we helped earthquake victims and partnered with local churches.    

                                  

In Bolivia we did manual labor and helped build orphanages.

In Swaziland we visited sites where orphans are fed once a day. We got their information and picture so we can set up a sponsorship system for them. And held them, played with them and told them about Jesus.

 

 

In Mozambique we stayed at a house of a lady named Mama Rita. The wife of deceased Pastor that had taken in 15 other children into her home along with seven children of her own to take care of. We also preached at a bunch of different churches.

In the short time in we spent in Botswana we worked with a local church.

In Cape Town, South Africa we spent time at house of an American couple called the Siplings. We learned about what it means to truly sit before the Lord and tried to figure out what it means to live missionaly.

In India I spent time visiting a local Christian orphanage. Along with visiting the homes of Burmese refugees to encourage and pray with them.

 

 

 

 

In Thailand I did manual labor helping to build the foundation and structure of a church.

In Hong Kong I helped teach English at Christian secondary school while building relationships with the students and staff.

 

 

 

 

In Cambodia I did house visitations of small groups of believers in different neighborhoods. We would share an encouraging word and pray with them.

What were a few of the funniest or most random moments of the year?

Well, they are either too hard to explain or they are too much an inside joke for them to be funny to you.

But I’m sure some will come up when we get to talk!

 

 Would you recommend the World Race to someone else? Why?

I would definitely highly recommend it! And not just for people my age. We had an age range from 22 years old to 47 years old this year. So I think anyone that wants to do it, definitely should.

I would recommend it because it is a unique set – apart year that will bring about changes in your life that would never come about otherwise.

I would recommend it because it will radically change the way you think about Jesus and the Christian faith.

I would recommend it because what you will learn about community.

And I would recommend it because it will bring you in relationship with needy, hurting people around the world.