What’s been the most difficult and rewarding part of your journey?
- Community living has been the hardest part of the race, however it’s also one of the most rewarding part. Living with 32 people under one house gets really noisy and you don’t really get a lot of alone time, but you honestly have some of the best moments of your life when you’re bored with 32 other people (I.e: blindfolded tag).
What’s one thing you wished you brought with you, but you didn’t?
- I wish I brought my ukulele or some more of my “normal” clothes. When I packed for the race for some reason I was really focused on packing all of my really plain shirts and jeans, but honestly I should of just packed all of my favorite outfits. (If a future racer is reading this, PLEASE listen to this advice). Also, bringing an instrument with you on the race will never be a burden. If you love playing an instrument all the time just bring it with you. You will miss it and end up buying one in a different country.
What’s one thing you have learned about God that you didn’t know before?
- So I have two answers for this. One serious answer and one that’s kind of silly but still true. The silly answer is that my Jesus is a sassy Asian. I don’t have a Jesus who talks to me in a gentle matter. He’s very sarcastic but also super direct and knows when he needs to be stern and serious. It’s really fun. The serious answer is that he talks to everyone differently and in some of the most creative ways. I’ve learned that he speaks to me in promises so when I hear something it doesn’t usually apply for what’s happening to me now. For some people I’ve met he speaks to them through emotions or songs. It’s been interesting learning how he speaks to all of us.
What have you loved most about a certain country and why?
- For Thailand, I loved my ministry. At first we were serve team for our squad, which at first was super frustrating, however my team and I learned so much about humility and what it looks like to be the hands and feet of Jesus. Our second ministry was in an orphanage that took in kids who had HIV or AIDS. I love all the kids there and will probably find my way back there one day. For Malaysia, I loved the culture. I stayed in Penang, which is an island that has 3 cultures (Chinese, Malay, and Indian) that just collide and mesh together. In one block you would be able to see 4 of the worlds major religions right next to each other. It was amazing seeing how three cultures could live in so much harmony and create such a unique little island. For Costa Rica, I have loved the people I’ve been able to meet. The people here are so friendly and I’ve had the opportunity to make some amazing lifelong friends (I really just want to stay and live here).
What is your biggest concern/anxiety related to coming back home?
- I am really scared for the adjustment period of coming back home. As well as see how much everything there has changed. I have this weird idea that everything just paused at home and nothing will move until I get back. I’m also not sure how life is going to even look like without my squad. I’m so use to having 32 housemates that being able to just go around on my own will be super weird.
What has been your favorite culture? How is it different from San Diego?
- My favorite culture has definitely been Costa Rica’s culture. It’s super welcoming and has stretched my perspective of what spreading kingdom looks like. The culture is really similar to San Diego. The climate is the same, Tico time is pretty much the same as San Diegan time, and most people speak English and Spanish. Major difference is that not everyone speaks English. (P.S. I love you toooo!!!)
What’s your schedule like?
- Our schedules are constantly changing dependent on what our ministry hours look like, but the rough schedule is that 5 days a week we have ministry for about 8 hours and then we have one adventure day and one sabbath day each week. Sleeping schedule also changes based on ministries.
Best Coffee?
- So far Costa Rica has the best coffee, but each country has had at least one shop that was amazing. Thailand had this yellow Volkswagen Van that sold coffee out of it and it was the best coffee I had while we were there. Malaysia had this coffee shop that sold coffee beans from all over the world and they had bulletproof coffee and that was amazing. Costa Rica is just amazing with coffee. Find yourself a Tico and have them make you coffee, you will never want to leave. Plus coffee time is just the best part of my day.
What was most surprising?
- The most surprising thing so far has been how easy it’s been to adjust to each country and their culture. I really thought it would be hard constantly moving around and trying to figure out our neighborhoods that’s we’ve lived in, but I haven’t had any problem figuring stuff out.
What’s been your favorite country?
- Costa Rica, definitely Costa Rica. I’m going to come back one day.
How are you doing?
- I’m doing pretty great! Costa Rica has come with a lot of challenges of reminding us why life in the States looks like, but it’s also been cool to see that rhythms that’s we’ve created on the race haven’t gone away.
Now after all you’ve learned, what will you do in your community?
- I’m not really sure. I guess just come back with everything I have and just see what opportunities I have in front of me. One thing you learn on the race is that ministry is life and life is ministry so I’m just planning to go home with that mindset.
Is the race worth it?
- Yes. It is worth every happy moment, sad moment, sickness, hospital visit, smile, laugh, tear and second. I would highly recommend this to everyone and honestly it’s not easy. It’s hard and most of the time you’re going to wonder why the heck you signed up for this, but every day there’s these small moments that remind you why your here and those moments are worth everything.
