A couple months back I posted on my social media and asked for people to send in questions they had for me about the World Race. Here are the questions I got. I hope you enjoy reading my answers.
Tina Vicente asked: “How has God stretched you, in a way you never thought possible?”
– When I said yes to going on the World Race I knew it was going to stretch me in so many ways. I think the biggest things has been living in community with one another. Alone time is nonexistent and I’ve had to surrender so much of myself to the Lord. It has been so sweet growing with my community of friends. They have become like family and I have learned a lot from them, but at times it for sure has been stretching.
My Mom asked: “What do you miss… that you didn’t realize you’d miss?”
– American food for sure! Our meals consist of a lot of beans and rice!
Jeremiah asked: “What food have you eaten that was your favorite and what food was the most challenging to eat?”
– Something that I’ve eaten that I really liked was passion fruit. I had never eaten it until the race and it is probably my favorite fruit.
– The most challenging food was Balut. Balut is a fertilized duck embryo that is boiled and eaten from the shell. This is a popular delicacy in the Philippines and since my host came home with one for each of us I felt bad saying no to eating it.
Micah asked: “What is something fun that you have done with the children?”
– Something fun I did with the children was in month one in the Philippines. We did swimming ministry and we were able to take the kids swimming. A lot of the little kids didn’t know how to swim and were afraid of the water so I was able to help them overcome their fear.
My Auntie Mary Ellen asked: “What truth about God have you learned or experienced in a deeper way?”
– Something I think I have experienced in a deeper way is that I am never alone. There have been serval times where I have experienced loneliness since being away but the Lord has really drawn me closer to Him during those times.
Carol Geer asked: “Have you encountered any bugs? Cockroaches, Spiders? Big, Small?”
– Have I encountered bugs…. YES. Many times. Let’s see… I’ve had ants in my cereal that I sealed in a tight zip lock bag, not sure how exactly they got in but somehow they found a way. Cockroaches in our bathroom, frogs in our shower, lizards crawling on our sleeping stuff, mice, meal worms in our kale, moths in our house, mosquitoes everywhere, and the worst was when we all woke up covered in sand fly bites.
Lynn Arendall asked: “Do you feel it has given you a different understanding about different beliefs? Would you do it again if given the chance?”
– For sure. I have learned so much from my teammates and have also learned so much about different religions. I believe it is so important to immerse yourself in other cultures where we are trying to share Jesus. When you know what someone believes it helps you to understand the people you are loving.
– I would totally do the World Race again if given the change. I think it is so important to experience different parts of the world and learn about different cultures while loving and serving others.
Carol Medeiros asked: “How has God changed you and helped you to grow when you encounter a difficult situation.”
– The first thing that comes to mind with this question is something I’ve learned and grown in and that is full reliance on God. I’ve realized when I encounter a difficult situation the only way to get through is to look directly to God instead of trying to deal with it on my own. There have been times where I tried to figure it out on my own and had it end in a disaster and people getting hurt, which caused more problems. So, I’ve definitely learned to always go to God first.
Duane Danielson asked: “Who was your favorite person from home to see during your travels?”
– Well I did get to see some of my family members during a layover we had which was pretty awesome, but other than that I believe the Danielson’s are really the only people I have seen from back home. Duane and Lori seeing you guys was actually so refreshing. I can’t thank you enough for all the little things you did for me and my team while we were in Thailand. Inviting us to church, the lunch, the letter, the care package, the homemade muffins. I really enjoyed our time together and felt like I was able to get to know you both better. Thank you for taking good care of me while I was in Thailand.
Shiloh Najjar asked: “What’s the hardest part of the race, mentally and spiritually?”
– The hardest part of the race mentally would have to be saying goodbye at the end of the month to all the people we met. I have become close with different individuals in each country and knowing I may never see them again in this lifetime is so hard.
– Spiritually it would have to be Spiritual warfare. I’ve been attacked with my health, my thoughts, and have had various things happen to me that I knew were not from the Lord. The enemy tries to attack us in whatever ways he can. It’s crazy what he tries to do to distract us from the work the Lord is doing. That’s when we have to clothe ourselves with the armor of God to fight against those attacks.
“For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.” Ephesians 6:12
Jane asked: “What’s the most difficult part about the world race- Practically? And what is the best thing you’ve experienced spiritually since being on the World Race.”
– Practically the most difficult part of the race is not realizing how fast everything adds up in weight. You think you are good until it’s time to weigh your bag at the airport to only be told it’s too heavy and things need to be taken out.
– The best thing I have experienced spiritually has been a deeper revelation of who God is. I believe that there is always more to learn about the Character of God. He has increased my faith through prayer and I have gotten to know His heart so much more.
Thank you to everyone who asked a question. Writing this blog has been so much fun. It has reminded me of some of the things I learned throughout my journey and has brought back tons of memories. I have four and a half months left and I know the Lord still has things He wants to teach me. Be praying for these last few months and that I would continually be present where I’m at.
God bless to all!
Cae
