Hello from Thailand, 11 hours ahead of the East Coast!
We have been in Bangkok for about a week now, and it is so different than our first three months of the Race. Both have been blessings, but both are extremely different.
As we begin four months in Southeast Asia, I wanted to share some observations, lessons and highlights from our time in West Africa.
- It feels weird to wear a seatbelt.
- Rice is a staple.
- So is spaghetti. It takes a different form in each country. And you can eat it with a spoon.
- During Month 1 in Côte d’Ivoire, one of our hosts whacked a lizard off of the light in the dining room during dinner with a broom. When it fell to the floor, she whacked it again, and then it ran away, never to be seen again.
- Hospitality is huge in West Africa.
- You don’t need nearly as many things as you think you do. Wearing the same five shirts on rotation is not nearly as bad as you would think. (Sometimes it gets old – but it isn’t as crazy as you would think.)
- I took more naps in my first week in Togo than I thought possible.
- I like speaking French and I want to continue learning it even though I won’t need it for the rest of the Race.
- Jollof from Ghana is probably my favorite food from the Race so far.
- Safaris don’t exist in Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana, or Togo.
- I am definitely more of a small town girl than a city girl. I worked my way from a pretty small village to a decent city and would not have survived in Abidjan during Month 1.
- African coffee is delicious.
- I learned during Month 2 just how much I love taking pictures.
- Don’t be afraid to be silly for the gospel! Laughter is a great way to break down walls and help to get people to listen!
- The Atlantic Ocean is HUGE!
- Cheese is definitely still its own food group.
- There are many forms of African dancing, even within three countries that are right next to each other. Make sure you learn what the variations mean.
- Having months specifically for your team is a blessing and so is having months with multiple teams together.
- I got to watch soccer a few times Month 3 in Togo! It was great, and something that I wanted to do all of Month 2.
- Ground nut paste is delicious when there is nothing but peanuts – I highly recommend natural peanut butter.
- Embrace the gifts that God has given you, whether that be photography, painting, preaching, teaching, singing or making a child laugh. All are valuable in the Kingdom.
- Wearing clothes that I would normally wear at home is my favorite thing. I loved pulling my jeans out every chance I got in Africa, even though it was hot.
- Love on the people around you, even if they are only around for a short amount of time, because you can show Jesus through the relationships you build with people.
