It’s so crazy to think that I will be back in America in less than a week!! These past 11 months have been the best/worst/craziest/longest/shortest months of my life, but I wouldn’t change anything that happened this year. I miss life at home in America, but I also know that once I am home I will miss life on The Race.
Enjoy this Q & A blog
How has spending the last 11 months on The World Race changed your perception of yourself and what you are capable of?
I have realized that I am stronger than I give myself credit for most of the time and I can do more than I realize… if I would only just do it and not let myself get in the way. I have done a lot of things this year that have scared the crap out of me, but in those moments when I chose to press in and do what God asked me to do is when I saw Him work and do so many wonderful things.
What has been your most memorable experience while on The Race?
This is a tough one because there were so many wonderful experiences… but I think I would have to say Month 7 in Kosova when I got to lead a young man to Christ and pray with him as he accepted Jesus (I Have a Brother)
But then there was also the Safari and getting to walk Cheetahs in Zambia!
When you get home, what’s the number one thing you want to do first?
Chick-fil-A!!
What do you miss most in relation to modern technology or life as an American?
Easy access to WiFi/having cell service and being able to stay in touch with loved ones easily, Hot Showers, Washing Machines and Dryers, being able to Drive, not being stared/yelled/honked at just for being American, true alone time, good Mexican food, Chineese Food, Chick-fil-A… I feel like I could go on for days about all that I miss, but I also know taht once I get home I am going to miss this life I have lived for this past year.
What did you do that you felt made a real positive difference for the communities you were in while on The Race?
Indonesia – really just getting to encourage the youth and members of Zeboath, because Christians are so persecuted in Indonesia
Philippines- feedings in the surrounding slums
Thailand – teaching kids from the slums English
Cambodia – building relationships with our hosts and encouraging them in their ministry
Vietnam – building relationships with the students who came to our English clubs and really just getting to encourage them in their faith, as Vietnam is a closed country and you can’t openly preach the Gospel
Bosnia/Croatia – this was a month where I don’t feel like I made difference because we were only in each country for a little over a week or two so it was hard to get settled into a Ministry and feel like we did anything productive
Kosova – leading the young man to Christ
Romania – we were kind of all over the place in Romania and really our main focus was getting ready for PVT
Zambia – building relationships with Joy and Becky and just pouring into them
Lesotho – getting to help out in a sewing shop
South Africa – scrubbing logos off cups for Carols by Candlelight, and probably more, but we are still in the midst of this month so it’s hard to say how we will impact this community
How do you think this experience will impact how you live your life going forward?
I am definitely going to be more intentional about listening to the promptings of The Holy Spirit and Jesus and be more obedient to listen to what they are asking of me.
What surprised you most about The Race/How did this experience differ from your expectations?
The amount of downtime we have had – I thought we would be way busier on Ministry days, but most of the time we only do Ministry for a few hours and then have the rest of the day off to relax.
I thought we would be doing more manual labor, but the majority of my Ministry this year has been teaching English, playing with kids, or handing out food.
I haven’t used my tent ONCE (I could’ve had more space/weight in my pack had I known I wasn’t going to use my tent at all) and only used my sleeping pad for 2 months.
What new characteristics of God did you learn about and experience during The Race?
The biggest would have to be God as a Comforter. I have had to rely on God in so many new ways this year and allow him to be my source of comfort instead of my family because they were not with me, but God was always there.
<3 Kimberly
