When I signed up for the World Race I had no idea what I was doing. The Instagram posts looked like I’d be hiking a mountain at sunrise everyday to get to ministry or eating tarantulas for snacks. Sure, my race did include both of these things, but there was so much more that I was unprepared for. Thank the Lord I had a friend I had worked with for a semester at Disney World who was finishing her World Race around the time I was leaving. She graciously allowed me to ask her all the questions I had to the best of her ability (thanks Omayra!), but the truth is, I didn’t even know enough to know the best questions to ask.
If you are a World-Racer-to-be (or just a curious mind), hopefully these thoughts and opinions can help you pack appropriately and prepare mentally!
1. How you packed for training camp is not how you should pack for the World Race!
Training camp is sweaty and jam packed. I packed as if I was headed off to boot camp, which, I basically was, but then thought I had been prepared for the field and packed almost the same clothes when I launched about a month later. As it turns out, there are countless opportunities to wear “normal clothes.” Church services, teaching English, shopping in the market, birthday dinners with friends, most women ministries… the list goes on. I only did construction one week of one month in Thailand and there was one unique month in Cambodia where we were required to work out every morning at 5AM, so I went through some sweaty t-shirts for that. Other than that, it was 100% socially acceptable to wear the same outfits over and over for 3 days in a row or wear “normal clothes!” If you’re going to India, and if you are a woman, pack leggings. We were told over and over at training camp we were not allowed to pack leggings to wear as pants, but as soon as we landed in India, our host took us to the mall telling us we needed “kurtas” (tunics) and leggings in order to be culturally appropriate. Curve ball! We needed them every single day of ministry, other team’s hosts were more flexible and allowed pants to suffice.
2. Don’t fret about limited outfits: the free table is real.
It sounds like a fairy tale, only having to pack a few outfits but swapping them out for zero cost each month, but it’s been faithful. Dresses, skirts, clothes people don’t have room for because they have picked up local pieces, clothes that people grow out of or can’t fit because of weight change, brand new WR shirts, medicine, sunscreen, headlamps, probiotics, books, etc. I’m sharing this as an attempt to keep you from overpacking!
3. Coffee lovers: Bring a small French press.
The World Race runs on coffee, and it is rarely provided for you. Hot water is more available because of tea kettles and water boilers and of course, stove tops and fire. My boss had sent me a French press as a gift and I opened it and didn’t know what to do with it, but she has had a lot of friends go on the World Race and survive so I trusted her wisdom. It was a life saver… and helped me make friends fast! So many people that did not start the World Race with a french press had attained one by the end! Thank you Jackie!
4. “Open me when…” letters are an amazing thing to have.
This has been one of my favorite things I brought on my WR and I’ve made them last all 11 months (only have “Open me when you’re headed home!” left!) My advice here is to not be afraid to ASK a friend or family member to write them for you! They aren’t mind readers and they may not know they are a thing or think of the idea. Thanks for loving me in this way Julia & Jackie!
5. Journaling.
I never journaled before the world race but I definitely would say I got hooked on it. In month 11, I’m finishing my 3rd journal! What I realized I prefer is an unbound leather journal (see Moonster) without lines. That way I can use the pages to tape memorabilia in such as entry tickets, plane tickets, wrist bands, notes from teammates, pictures from kids, etc, without breaking or stretching the binding and having to keep it together with duct tape and rubber bands (RIP Journal #1) and unlined so I can use the pages to write, draw, or fill up with a Bible verse I’m meditating on that week, etc. A glue stick and a roll of tape were my friends.
6. Be prepared to PREACH with no more than a 5 minute warning.
Seriously. My Team was asked to preach DAY ONE. We were bright eyed and still smelled like American fabric softener and we were “green as grass,” but this request just about paralyzed us. Since then, this happened more times than I could recall, but it becomes so natural. The nausea turned into adrenaline the more I did it. One way to prepare for this is by praying, asking your host what their community’s biggest struggles are, paying attention to sermons, devotionals, and podcasts and taking note of them, and verbally processing with your team! You can ask your host what kind of audience you’ll be presenting to in order to prepare appropriately. For example, is this a meeting in a village to people who have never heard Jesus’s name? Or faithful church members? Or young girls who have been exposed to trauma and need to hear about their worth and the way the Lord loves them despite their pasts and their fears. What tends to naturally happen is everyone on your team will end up with a “back pocket sermon” and testimony so you’re never caught off guard.
7. Disconnect.
One of the best decisions I made this year was to delete my Netflix account. I surprised myself by doing it, but I have been able to be so much more present and engage in relationships without the distraction. I also haven‘t had a phone for the last 6 months, and it’s been incredible. I challenge you to start at least the first month or 2 using your phone without WiFi or data, just a camera or calculator! One of the cringy-est things for me personally is going out to dinner or moving into a new lodging situation and immediately hearing “is there WiFi?” Or “what’s the WiFi password?” Think about it, this is one of the only times in your life that it is socially acceptable to NOT be accessible 24/7. Put the phone down and enjoy a meal and the initial awkward silences as you get to know your teammates, and allow them to get to know you. Set the expectation with your friends and family back home early on.
8. Choose each other.
This sounds like such a cliché but it makes an enormous difference. Have the hard and vulnerable conversations when you know you could have done something differently, or before you have the chance to harbor bitterness with others. Don’t get defensive when someone gives you feedback and therefore miss the blessing in it! Love each other even through their quirks that may irritate you. DON’T GIVE INTO GOSSIP, and don’t encourage it from others either. Find out each other’s “Love Language” (5 love languages test is free online!) and enneagram personality types for more understanding and individualized ways to love and support each other. Also, take advantage of one-on-one sign-ups at debrief and LDWs (Leadership Development Weekends) with your squad mentor, coaches, and squad leaders! Allow them to get to know you, and don’t expect them to be able to if you don’t make yourself available… there a lot more Racers than there are of them! Bonus: GET TO KNOW AND LOVE YOUR HOSTS WELL. What an excellent form of relational ministry.
9. It’s okay to ask for space.
Whether you are an introvert or extrovert, you will most likely find yourself needing to “refill your bucket,” so to speak. It’s ok to let your team know when you need to pass on an adventure weekend or a dinner outing, or just when you don’t want people to talk to you before breakfast so you can focus on reading your Bible and journaling. In Rwanda, my best friend, Ashley, and I loved to talk to each other and also loved introverting… sometimes we were on different pages though! We eventually learned that we needed to say, quite bluntly, “Pretend I’m alone right now.” Of course there were moments I’d forget and want to share whatever random idea popped in my head but she’d just look at me and I’d say, “Oh right you’re alone, sorry!” and vice versa. Sometimes physical alone space was just not an option, sometimes months at a time. Headphones are good at signaling this need to your teammates too… even if they aren’t plugged into anything!
10. Don’t fear rejection, and view everyone as a ministry opportunity!
It took me too long to really walk in boldness and live this out, and it changed my entire world race for the better. Whether you’re sitting next to a group of friends in a coffee shop or buying a coke from the woman at the corner store, don’t be afraid to engage them in conversation. If you can make that conversation lead into sharing the gospel with them or asking if they know Jesus, even better! You could even ask to meet them for coffee to continue your conversation or relationship the next day or next time you are free. Use obvious safety precautions like meeting with a buddy in public in daylight. Sometimes I met people who said they know about Jesus but didn’t remember what they heard, or “used to know Jesus,” or would admit they aren’t a believer but would still allow me to pray over them right then and there. Let the Lord use you as a vessel! Do the thing. Be bold.
11. Do you, boo!
The World Race definitely has it’s unique culture, but if you’re used to doing things differently, that’s ok. My initial specific example with this is ALL THE CHRISTIANESE LINGO AND LANGUAGE. In the beginning, all of this language and the references to the “B-zone” and the “victim circle” and the “freedom V” were overwhelming. Everything was a “spirit of something” such as a spirit of offense or a spirit of comparison. UNTIL YOU GET TO KNOW THE MEANINGS OF THESE THINGS AND THE HEART BEHIND THEM, DONT FEEL LIKE YOU HAVE TO FORCE IT. Eventually it will be natural and helps you articulate a lot of experiences, but don’t let worship, quiet time habits, language, or anything else distract you from the reason you are on this mission trip or make you feel inadequate. You are a special kind of person for even considering signing up for this experienc. You are brave, bold, and a little crazy. Be all of that and keep it transparent and authentic.
If you have any other or more specific questions, I’d be more than happy to answer them in the comments or via email at [email protected] !
Happy Racing!
