Thank you to everyone who submitted questions for my Q&A blog! It was such a fun way to begin processing and there were some really unique questions in there! If you think of something else you’re dying to know that isn’t answered here please contact me!
Without further ado:
- Highest high and lowest low of the trip?
This is a hard question because-as with life in general-there were many highs and many lows, but for the sake of processing ans transparency I’ll pick two. My lowest low was probably the three weeks that I spent being extremely sick in Rwanda. It turned out that I had strep throat, but it isn’t really a common illness in Rwanda so doctors spent a lot of time baffled by me. I had fevers over 102 for days on end, had my blood drawn four different times, received three IVs, and spent way too much time in hospital beds. I think it as the most scared I had ever been (one night I even had a dream that I was going to die… super scary), but it really put the medical crisis into perspective for me. Obviously, I was able to recover and ultimately, I found this to be a moment of growth!
Highest high… wow there are a lot! I think the moment I would choose, however, would be a conversation I had in a coffee shop with my squad mate Grace. Grace and I spent the first four months of the race on a team together and to be honest, we butted heads A LOT. In Cambodia we were put together for ministry all day, every day, just the two of us. In those times we really fought to improve our relationship and figure out how to love each other well and we succeeded! It was a real-life application of what it looks like to continue to be the Church even in moments of disagreement are hardship. Now I am privileged to count Grace as a friend and I couldn’t imagine how much I would have missed out on if we hadn’t fought so hard to fix things.
-
What is the greatest lesson you have learned abroad?
This is another great, but hard question! I have learned so much this past year but I think the best lesson has been that life truly is what you make it. That’s pretty cheesy, but also remarkably true. I have seen people who are completely impoverished, or who have to make a living doing extremely undesirable jobs, or who have turbulent home lives… Etc. BUT one common strand has been that the people who choose to prioritize the correct things are happy and fulfilled regardless of their circumstances. I have seen the truth that if you prioritize the Lord and pursue His goodness, you will always be satisfied. Life is what you make it, choose to make it a tribute to the Lord.
-
Can you share your worldview and how it has changed as a result of your WR experience?
I would like to think that prior to the World Race my worldview was already fairly developed. This is all thanks to the wonderfully diverse and intentional education that I received at North Park University, however the World Race has certainly developed it further. I have come to believe that God has spent time creating each and every person and place intentionally. Each person and place have immense purpose within the Kingdom whether they know it or not. As a result of that I see it as my responsibility to encourage all people to recognize and act on their inherent value within the Kingdom of God and I firmly believe that this burden lies on the shoulders of all Christians. Over the course of this World Race journey I have seen people with very little and people with much impacting the Kingdom in huge ways when they just choose to believe and pursue their God-given purposes!
-
What daily-life ritual has shifted or appeared for you?
Since heading out on the World Race I’ve definitely developed the daily habit of reading my bible and listening for what the Lord might have for that day. This sounds simple, but it is something that is difficult for many Christians to walk out in the business of everyday life. It has become absolutely essential for me and I can feel the difference when I don’t start my days this way. I think that I have also developed a greater sensitivity to what the Lord is doing in any particular moment because I’ve gotten into the habit of specifically looking for that while out on the field.
-
How do you always manage to put the Lord above all other things?
Wow, quite simply… I don’t. I am only human and I am not always successful at choosing the Lord first. Sometimes I selfishly choose myself and I think the first step is to have grace for yourself when that happens. I do think that the act of choosing the Lord first gets easier the more that you do it. I have found over this year that in moments where I choose myself, I feel that choice more heavily than I used to. Choosing the Lord isn’t a burden, but a great joy and the more you do it the more you want to do it! It’s a daily walk that requires humility, grace, and accountability.
-
Where do you feel that God is leading you?
This question comes with my favorite answer… I DON’T KNOW! God has given me some absolutely beautiful long-term visions for my future with Him, but we haven’t filled in the steps on the path there yet! As of right now my plan is to come home, relax, process, spend time with family, and wait for the Lord to make a direction clear. I have plenty of ideas of how I would like to reach those goals, but I also want to wait and see what the Lord wants. His plans are better than mine. The eventual goal is to work full time in Christian Camping Ministry as a Camp Director and before that will likely come seminary. Beyond that, I have no idea and I am totally comfortable with that!
-
Which country had the best food?
I’ve been lucky to have some amazing food this year, but my favorite food was Indian food. Without a doubt. Indian food is so incredibly flavorful, and no matter how much curry you eat it will be a different experience each time. I loved how food was such a community event in India and how it was something to be thoroughly enjoyed. I could eat it every day for the rest of my life.
-
Which country had the weirdest food?
Every country has its share of weird food, but the weirdest thing that I personally ate was a fried silk worm in Thailand. It was not good. Relatively flavorless and with a horrible gelatinous texture. I would still recommend eating it purely for the experience, but you won’t find me snacking on these anytime soon.
-
What was your favorite country?
Ahhh… the hardest question! I loved many countries but if I had to choose an all-time favorite, I would go with Thailand! If you followed along with my blogs back then, you know that I spent the month at an all-girls orphanage that month. The country was so physically beautiful, the people were loving and kind, and it is where Sending Hope International is. That ministry truly captured my heart. Of the 40 girls that lived there, only ONE was truly an orphan. Every other girl had parents that either couldn’t take care of them, wanted to protect them from the sex trafficking industry, or got rid of them so that they could get remarried. A lot of girls there felt discarded by their parents and it was an honor and a privilege to show them as much love as I could while also showing them the love of the Father. Those girls were so dang special.
-
How many times did you shower on the WR?
*Snorts with uncontrollable laughter* This question really got me. To be honest, it wasn’t a whole lot! It depended on the living circumstances from month to month, but most months we had freezing cold water and a bucket to shower with. Not exactly the most enticing offer! I would say that I averaged about 2 showers per week, but there were certainly times where it was more than that… or far less. Sorry mom!
-
Is it hard living out of a backpack for so long? Will you be more of a minimalist once you’re home?
At first it was extremely hard to live out of a backpack. It was harder to keep track of things and stay organized! Eventually I was able to make sense of the small sack and how to organize it to suit me and it got a lot easier. I am excited at the prospect of having a permanent residence and being able to keep my stuff in one place indefinitely, but I think I will adopt a much more minimalist lifestyle. One of the things that has been overwhelming as I think about going home is all of the excess! Excess clothes, space, gadgets, junk you never use, etc. I have learned to live with a lot less, and I even prefer it that way now!
Thank you again for your questions! Five days left in this journey and it is hard to fathom! Please be praying for me and my squad as we gear up to re-enter the United States later this week!
See you soon!
Kristen
