This is the second installment of my 5 blogs in the final 25 days!
In my final 25 days away from home I am posting 5 blogs designed to answer questions a lot of you probably have about this 11 month journey and the soon transition home.
Blog Schedule:
25 days left: Where are the highlight videos for months 7, 8 and 9?
Today: 20 days left: Answering 20 Questions about my world race experience.
15 days left: The 15 things I’m looking forward to the most about being home
10 days left: 10 Words to describe the 10 Countries I’ve been to
5 days left: My 5 favorite things about the World Race
I cant believe today marks 20 days until home but alas here are 20 expected FAQ’s.
- How was your trip?
It was amazing. Seeing God move in so many different ways in so many different places has been a real privilege. But on a real note, please don’t ask this question. It would be like me asking you, “How was your year?” It’s a terribly hard question to answer without any real idea of how to even address a whole year in a simple answer. I look forward to talking all about my trip with you all but please ask more specific questions. Hopefully the rest of this blog will give you a good basis of understanding of how my year was!
- What where you doing?
Each month a team of about 6-7 of us went to a new country to partner with a new ministry. Each ministry was unique in their own ways and it was really cool to be able to support and encourage so many different ministries around the world!
- What was your favorite month?
Thailand! Each month was great in its own right but Thailand was incredible. So much of it reminded me of working at summer camp again. Sending Hope International was an all girls orphanage that took a hold of my heart and wouldn’t let go. I still get chills listening to my video of them worshiping. Then, at the end of the month to have my parents come out and visit for a week as a part of Parent Vision Trip made month 7 the best month for me.
- If you had to go back to one ministry that you were at for an entire year, which one would it be and why?
Costa Rica and Conexion ministries, I love this ministry, it’s workers and how they are so diverse in what they do. I’d have to probably learn Spanish at some point along the way but this has been a ministry I could very well see myself not get tired of being a part of.
- What continent had the best food?
Asian food was incredible!
- What was the weirdest thing you ate?
It’s probably a tie between a scorpion and tarantula. For the record, the tarantula was a lot better tasting than the scorpion.
- What was your favorite adventure?
In Zimbabwe, Mack, Ethan and I had the opportunity to go white water rafting at Victoria Falls on the Zambezi river. I had never gone white water rafting before and it was an incredible experience!
- Would you recommend the World Race?
Yes! It wasn’t easy and you have to be going for the right reasons, but for sure!
- Would you do the World Race again?
No. Technically I don’t think you’re allowed to do it a second time. However, after going on the world race you can apply to lead a future squad. That I haven’t completely ruled out doing, but it would definitely have to be something I firmly felt called to do.
- What was the hardest part?
Being away from family and friends.
- What was your craziest travel experience?
The travel days from Thailand to Malaysia. It included about 34 hours on a train. Our budget put us in 3rd class and so to sleep I ended up laying underneath the seats.
- What food from the United States did you miss the most?
Sour Patch Kids and Sheetz!
- What would you change about how you packed?
I would have bought a better sleeping pad. I was trying to save money so I got a cheaper sleeping pad and have regretted it. Fortunately, we haven’t had to use it too often. I also wouldn’t have brought my tent. My hammock has been all I really needed.
- What did you learn about yourself?
I learned that though I’m not one to speak up in large groups often but throughout the race when the opportunity presents itself, time after time God gives me the desire and confidence to speak in front of crowds about Him. Also, I’ve learned I am more called to discipleship than evangelism. I used to think something was wrong with me for evangelizing being such a challenge for me. However, now I realize it’s just that God has instilled in me more of a desire for a relationship with believers in the form of discipleship.
- What was it like living in community?
The World Race community and specifically the community I’ve found in B Squad, has been far greater than I could have ever expected. Learning to recognize my need for introverted time was something I grew in. As someone who loves to be around people and fights a constant battle against FOMO (fear of missing out) I had to learn sometimes it is ok to miss out on things because as a God created introvert I needed time alone even in the midst of so many awesome people.
- What was your favorite type of ministry?
Sports ministry. Having the ability to combine the two things I love , sports and sharing the love of Christ was always a blessing.
- How’s the weather?
Hot, except for Serbia and Romania, but I am so excited to come home for the fall!
- Did you see any cool animals?
I went on a safari in South Africa and saw giraffes, zebras, and lions. Then in Thailand when my parents visited we had the opportunity to feed and bathe elephants.
- If you had a million dollars to donate/invest in the experiences, people, places you’ve seen, how would you do it?
Nothing against my other ministries but I would invest it all in Sending Hope International. They are looking to start up new ministries in other locations so I would donate it to those projects but also in some sort of scholarship program for the girls home in Thailand so they could afford to further their education and go to college.
- What’s next?
That’s for God to know and me to figure out in His perfect timing. Right now I feel led to seek out a youth pastor position and am praying into it more.
