Here are some of your pressing questions answered. I also have a few more blogs about Guatemala to post so they’re going to mixed in with thailand blogs, I apologize, but still good stories of the Lord’s work none the less!
-what have you learned about yourself after being away from home for so long?
Quite a few things but two of the most valuable things I think I’ve learned is just how much my tendency to strive for self-dependency has strained my relationship not only with the Lord but with people I love. Also that the Lord has really blessed me with talents that I have refused to use for the Kingdom because of fear but had considered myself a pretty fearless person which just doesn’t go together. Lots and lots of new found self awareness.
– What is the main reason you would tell someone to go on the World race?
From the words of one of my leaders, Sav… “what a privilege is it to take part in the work of the Kingdom and glorifying the Lord anywhere but that he invites us into beautiful places in the world to do it”
– Hardest part about the race?
Ooo i think personally it’s been to know what the Lord is wanting for me in this season and then to make decisions around that. It’s easy for me to go off on my own tangent and not focus on what I know the Lord is calling me into in this moment. Also choosing into community is SO HARD but has taught me a whole lot about love and Christ’s heart for the church as a body.
– Do you always get along with your team so well?
Short answer is no. Long answer :: My team and I have a LOT of fun together and walk in a lot of joy and love. We’re all extremely different and get to see unique sides of the Lord through each other. I’d love to say that we’re as great as I think I sometimes portray us as, and generally we are doing great, but also we fight and we get frustrated and we mess up. The cool thing is how much we each have been learning through the hardships of community.
– What are you doing in Guatemala?
In Guatemala my team and I worked in a village 4 days of the week. I taught English to 1st graders until they got out of school and then we just did house visits and built relationships and shared Jesus. 1 day a week we went to an English academy and did odd jobs and ran a bible study.
– What’s your favorite thing about Guatemalan culture?
The vibrancy. Of the people, of the food, of the celebrations, of the clothes, of the buildings. It’s such a colorful place both physically and relationally.
– Most heart breaking thing you have seen/experienced ?
Deep rooted shame in families is number one. The lack of opportunity for many people, especially children, is a close second.
– Have you read any good books since leaving ?
The Artisan Soul by Erwin McManus and A Million Miles in a Thousand Years by Donald Miller
– What do you miss most about America?
Honestly my family. As much as I LOVE my new family here and am amazed by them daily, there’s still nothing like the 5 in Orlando.
– Most meaningful passage or verse so far?
Luke; picking apart some of Jesus’ life and really looking at the way he lived and love that consumed him. Philippians 1; Paul’s deep desire to live for Christ and Christ alone and the impact that had on every single person and situation he encountered.
– Top 2-3 things you wish you would have brought?
More things that smell good (like dryer sheets or perfume) because nothing is ever really clean so the illusion of cleanliness can be nice. My own favorite book so that people could read it and mark it up and I could read their markings. A hard drive… you really just need an external hard drive it makes life much easier (I ended up buying one a few weeks ago in LA but it was needed the whole time)
– top 2-3 you wish you would have left?
Any clothes out of dress code… just don’t even try to bring them. That’s honestly it… I’ve been pretty happy with my packing.
– Learn any Spanish?
Enough to be VP of Spanish Honors Society.
– What is the process for lesson planning?
lol sometimes there is none because you don’t find out you’re teaching until you show up somewhere. There’s also usually limited resources so it’s just sitting down after you have a tiny bit of a clue of the knowledge of your kids and getting really really creative. Also just knowing you’ll have to be flexible and have games planned as a backup… 95% of the time my lesson plan is scrapped 5 minutes into class.
– Most shocking reality while living in Guatemala?
A lot more westernized than expected.
– Least fav Guatemalan food?
Whiskeel… no clue how to spell or really what it is but it’s a vegetable that looks like a tiny zucchini more in the shape of a lemon and tastes a little bit like a potato but it’s just bad.
– What do the things cost in the area you’re in (like how much would a meal cost)?
In Guatemala you could get a meal for 15 Q ($2) or 70 Q ($10) depending on how fancy you feel. In Thailand, I’m full after spending 100 baht ($3 ish)
– What has been your biggest adjustment since leaving home to race life?
Never being by yourself. I’m extremely extroverted but at home I have the freedom to leave whenever and be by myself. WR has a buddy rule so even if you get away from your 50 squad mates for a bit, you still have at least one with you always.
– What do you miss most about Guatemala?
My friends I made!! Also having a bed and shower opposed to a sleeping mat and bucket was really nice.
– How have you been received by the communities there?
The people in Guatemala never turned us down and loved us from the beginning and we built such good relationships. Our village in Thailand puts southern hospitality to shame. They treat us way better than we deserve and love to show us their country and lives.
– What did you think you’d miss but haven’t even cared about?
AC
– Favorite excursion/ adventure?
Horse back riding up a volcano and roasting marshmallows on lava rocks for my birthday
– What have you had to lean on the Lord most for?
Humility.
– In what ways have you grown?
I could probably write forever on this one. One of the biggest is learning what it practically looks like to let Jesus reflect in everything I do, not just scheduled ministry. Also changing my perspective on non-christians from sometimes viewing them as projects to viewing them as sons and daughters of God who are loved and valued whether they know Him or not.
– Funniest thing that’s happened in Thailand?
Emma fell through the roof trying to reach banana leaves to use as wrapping paper… I’ve never laughed so hard in my entire life. Also emma is ok and the roof will eventually be ok.
– Best thing about ministry?
How fun it is. There’s endless possibilities and it looks so different every day even if you’re at the same location each time.
– Favorite thing about Thailand?
Feeling at home again in Asian culture… getting to relive some of my childhood memories in a new way.
– Tips for a future racer in Thailand?
Awareness!! Thai culture is extremely respectful and cautious and it’s easy to forget how brash American norms can be and breaking out of them when around Thai people.
– What’s the best and worst part of the race?
Best part is the growth that comes from the discomfort. Worst part is the actual discomfort/choosing to put yourself in discomfort. Which isn’t actually bad at all it just doesn’t feel good in the moment but you know how much fruit will come from it.
– Do you think the race has/will change how you think about things?
Definitely, 100% already has. The way I think has changed in terms of myself, of others, of God, of creativity, of discipline, of trials… that’s just to name a few.
– What’s your favorite thing you’ve learned/seen on the trip?
My favorite thing I’ve seen is kindness new capacities.
Hope I never get used to this
– L
