Since I’m 30 minutes from leaving the country, I figured there was no better time to post a FAQ blog about some common questions I’ve been asked/have been submitted to me since being here!
What do you miss most about home?
Familiarity & rhythms. I took those for granted for sure.
Rhythms : Though I love the spontaneity of the race, as a team we really have to fight for consistency in our schedule. We make sure to establish some routine things like morning devotionals, weekly worship- so that in the midst of all the new things we’ve got some constants.
Familiarity: I miss being out and about seeing people I know, running into people in coffee shops, etc. I get super excited when I run into my squad mates in town (even if we all traveled there together) just because it feels like a piece of home & like a community- the little things!
What is the weirdest place you’ve used the bathroom?
A grocery store, but hear me out- I asked to use the restroom, where I was then instructed (through broken English) to follow the arrow signs. These signs proceeded to take me to the back of the store, through a kitchen, outside to the sketchy alleyway between buildings, past some guys wearing masks and welding, until it finally ended at a literal hole in the wall. Desperate times call for desperate measures.
When do you leave Cambodia?
Today, December 9th, in t-minus 30 minutes. We are heading to Ethiopia!
Do you miss Ashley all the time?
Oh all the time? An understatement. Not a second of the day goes by where she’s not on my mind. ( I hope this is the answer you were looking for 😉
What is your favorite part?
I love not having expectations!
At first, and sometimes still, it was really hard not knowing the schedule or having all the details all the time. It was hard being told that we needed to release the desire for a schedule so that we could stay present; especially when some of the details we asked for seemed too small to really affect us in the long run. Since then though, I’ve seen so much more fruit from having no choice but to remain present. When you release expectations, you eliminate the chance of possibly missing the now by daydreaming about the future.
What ply toilet paper are you using?
We are lucky if we find ANY ply toilet paper in the bathrooms.
Is it what you expected?
Not at all – but it’s better. As most things are that the Lord calls us to. Each country is completely different from the next, as are the ministries. So even if this country isn’t what I ‘expected’, the next one very well might be exactly what I pictured when I signed up for the race: a nine month camping trip.
Is it worth it?
SO 100% worth it. His adventures always are.
Do you have service all the time?
My plan has given me service in Cambodia, though I’m not sure what it will look like the rest of the race. Most people simply go without data and only log on when wifi is available. Our team also decided we didn’t want to use our data (if we had it) during the week so we could really dive in.
Do you ever get homesick?
Not NEARLY as much as I thought I would. This was one of my biggest fears coming on the race: that I’d get to the end of month three and be more than ready to leave. But, the Lord has given me so much peace about it- a ridiculous amount. I have a nostalgic moment every now and then (esp as holidays get closer), but I have yet to experience a gut-wrenching need to be home. And it’s been super fun going all out for holidays as a team, doing everyone’s family traditions, and just getting to experience the holidays in a way I never will again.
Are you going to go to college?
GO COUGS. Heck yeah. Planning on studying nursing at Azusa Pacific in the fall of 2019!
What’s the biggest thing you miss about Oregon other than Amy?
Fresh foooOOOoooOOod. Rice and mystery meat are in budget so that’s normally what our meals consist of. Our team collectively misses having fresh stuff, but are learning to get over it because it’s a pretty minor issue. Also, Douglas Firs & rain that isn’t humid. Miss that stuff for sure.
Most challenging part of the WR so far?
Definitely the fast pace. The days are long but the months are so so short. Each day is different from the next and so much seems to happen that it’s hard to find time take it all in. There is a constant overlapping cycle of trying to press in and be where my feet are, while also learning so much about the Lord and myself, AND trying to process it all at the same time. I really have to be intentional about taking time to let my body and my mind be still; otherwise, I burn out super fast.
How much extra money did you have and how did you take it?
Still fundraising 🙂 right now my ‘personal money’ is money that I had saved up before coming on the race but I am currently still working towards the goal of $15,800. If you feel led, you can donate above!
Is food included in the main price for the race?
Yep! You are allotted a certain amount of money for food each week. It is possible to stay in this budget but most people spend personal money each week on some comfort foods & such (when available, sometimes you’re in the middle of no where and spend no money)
If there are any questions you still have that remain unanswered about the World Race, Cambodia, etc; feel free to comment below or reach out to me personally!
We will be going off the grid for a bit as our next ministry is in a village called Harbu Chulule, Ethiopia, where there is little to no wifi within 3 hours! Will update when I get the chance, but until then :: love you all and thank you for the constant support — heck, thank you for READING this far. You guys rock.
