Today, I take a flight back to Oklahoma. That’s crazy. This chapter is coming to a close. The last 9 months have been the most impactful of my life, and the man landing in OKC today isn’t the same one that left in September. “Thank you” cannot do justice to the appreciation I have to all of my supporters that have been behind me this entire journey. I took the investment that you made in me seriously, and God has used the support in ways I never imagined. I have been so blessed, and I am ready to use the tools that God has equipped me with to glorify his name right here at home. Below are the questions that were submitted to me about my trip. Thank you to all who asked! My answers are brief so if you would like to know more feel free to reach out at any time. It would make my day to get a phone call from someone asking about what God has done. Sending lots of love from San Fran. OKC I’m coming for ya.
What was your favorite Country? Why?
I’ve gone back and forth with this question! I think my final answer is Costa Rica. It is such a beautiful place, and it was also my first time out of the country. I also loved the fact that the whole squad was together. I made so many precious memories, and it was the beginning of a lot of friendships.
Who was your favorite teammate?
The submitter of most questions will remain anonymous, but I will tell you that the submitter of THIS question is from Team Relentless. Words can’t express how thankful I am for each guy that I’ve spent the last 9 months with. They have pushed me and have had my back every step of the way. God blessed me beyond measure with my team.
What is the craziest thing that happened to you?
There were a lot of truly insane things that happened to me during this trip, but my favorite happened in South Africa. Trevor and I met a man named Fortune, who had had a dream the previous night. His dream just so happened to tie exactly into the Gospel message that we were sharing with him. We interpreted the dream, shared the Gospel, and Fortune surrendered his life to Christ! We got the opportunity to see him at church a few weeks later, and I’ll never forget watching him genuinely worship his Heavenly Father.
What has been the most memorable ministry moment?
The most memorable ministry moment that I had didn’t happen during “scheduled ministry.” I met a young man outside a convenience store after dinner one night. His name was Enough. He was 19 years old, and both of his parents were dead. He was trying to provide for his two younger siblings, and doing literally anything he could to make ends meet. God truly broke my heart for this kid. I ended up sharing the Gospel with Enough, and I gave him my shoes and socks. I think about him almost everyday.
What was the wildest doctor’s visit?
This occurred in Myanmar. I went to a family clinic to get some antibiotics for a sinus infection. The first thing that raised some flags for me was that they didn’t need to see any form of ID from me, and I didn’t have to fill out any paperwork. All they needed was my name. The next flag was raised while I was sitting in the waiting room. My squad leader Kevin and I are talking when, from behind a curtain where the doctor’s office lies, scampers a stray dog. It strolls straight passed us and back onto the street. The doctors didn’t wear gloves, and the receptionist was chewing tobacco. I got my antibiotics along with some other medication for 2 USD. I was told not to eat ice, seafood, and not to take late night showers. Don’t worry though…my sinus infection cleared up nicely.
Where would you go back first?
I would love to revisit each one of the 4 countries that I’ve lived in over the last 9 months. The place I would want to go back to first would probably be South Africa. I fell in love with the people in that country, and would jump at the opportunity to serve over there again!
Why the nose piercing?
That’s a good question. One that I don’t exactly have an answer for. All I can say that it happened, and it’s over now.
Do you like space?
I do
On a sale of 1-7 rate your team on their scent.
At least 7
How do you manage to lose arguably your most valuable items?
I would say it’s a mixture of bad luck and irresponsibility on my part. It’s only a failure if you don’t learn something from it, right?
How was your day being a mute?
I took a word fast during our time in Costa Rica (spent a day without talking). It was honestly one of the most challenging days of my race. I was humbled realizing how much of what I say every day seeks my own glory. It also convicted me of my lack of intimacy with God. I struggled to have a legitimate conversation with him throughout my day. It shed light on some areas of my faith that needed attention. I am so thankful I did it, although I don’t think I’ll do it again.
How did you grow?
This broad question has many answers. A few aspects of my life that I’ve seen massive growth has been in the way I view the world around me and in the way I view God. I have such a deeper understanding of grace, and just how much that means for me and my life every single day.
Which language barrier was the hardest?
For me the language barrier was the hardest in Thailand. We taught English there for two months to kids that spoke solely Thai.
Which culture do you feel like you know best?
I think I know the South African culture best. Because 95% of people spoke English, it was simpler to learn about the traditions and cultures that were around me. We also spent the majority of our time doing evangelism, which involves a lot of getting to know people and getting to know the culture.
Best Beach?
That’s a toss up. I loved Jaco Beach (Month 1 debrief). I also loved Ngwe Sang. We spent our last week in Myanmar at that beach. Durban, South Africa also had a really nice beach.
What was your hardest goodbye?
There were so many hard goodbyes on this trip. One of the hardest for me was Luis from Costa Rica. He was the groundskeeper for the ministry we worked with. We got extremely close with Luis, and even ate dinner with his family one night. He called us his sons and was so passionate about Christ.
What made you cry?
I cried when I saw my mom for the first time in 5 months.
What was your lowest moment?
My lowest moment had to be the stomach virus that I had in Thailand. I spent a 24 hour period arguably the sickest that I had ever been. We didn’t have western toilets or a/c. I was in a word, miserable
What was your favorite travel day experience?
I loved getting to spend an entire day in Toronto! We got to explore the city, and met some really great people while we were there.
Was there really hard feedback you received? How did you deal with it?
We had just gotten finished with a team time in which I had talked about finishing the race strong and being men that kept our word. I was approached afterward and was told that if I wanted to talk to the team about being men of our word then I needed to practice that discipline myself. There were members of my team that I wasn’t pursuing well, and there were things that I had said that I hadn’t backed up with actions. I am so thankful that it was addressed because it completely changed my outlook on the race and who I was.
What was the most recurring scripture?
I think the most recurring scripture for me was Galatians 5:16, “But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.” A lot of my race has been spent practicing this discipline. It was constantly brought up in team times, and it was a verse that we kept each other accountable to.
What was your favorite holiday celebration?
Songkran!! We celebrated Songkran (Thai New Year) in Chiang Mai. It is a massive country-wide water fight and it was so much fun!
What was the hardest lesson you learned?
God spent the first few months of the World Race refining me and revealing to me the aspects of my life that I had yet to give up to him. That breaking down process was extremely hard and uncomfortable. I am so thankful that when sin abounds, grace abounds all the more.
What was your favorite part of mission work?
Nothing can beat watching someone going from dead in their sins to alive in Christ. I saw hope in the midst of such hopelessness, and light in the middle of utter darkness.
Would you rather give up A/C or Wifi?
No question. I’d give up wifi in a heartbeat.
What was your favorite part?
Meeting amazing people from all over the planet, and getting to watch as God worked in me, and in the people around me.
