Being sick is never ideal or fun no matter where you are! But it is especially miserable when you are away from home on the other side of the world, with sometimes little amenities.
Words have power!!! I do not want to speak sickness over anyone! I want to speak life. Some of my squadmates have not been sick once since we left 4 months ago! But there are quite a few of us that have fought several sicknesses.
It’s a reality of being in a new place with different food, different germs, and sanitation standards!! But don’t let this scare you; make it apart of your experience, of your story!
I was sick in Nepal with a sinus infection (typical for me as I used to get two or three sinus infections a year at home). My team, Daughters, loved me and took care of me well! They even brought me a pizza at one point (because pizza is always my “comfort food” when I’m sick at home). Even when I was in the hospital with malaria and a parasite in 2016, Donatos Pizza was the FIRST thing I wanted as soon as the doctors let me eat real food again!!
Fast forward to this month: I’ve gone to the clinic once and hospital three times now. My blood was drawn too many times to count and don’t get me started on the stool samples lol. I even was given IV antibiotics (was STABBED multiple times- okay pricked but I was losing it when they kept taking the needle out and pricking me again). I really am not good with hospitals, needles, smells, anything related to being sick…lol so this was a month of facing fears for sure. Since leaving for the Race, I’ve lost 23 pounds. My jeans are no longer fitting, and my appetite hasn’t existed for almost the whole month.
I started running to the toilet nonstop with diarrhea and felt nauseous all the time. I started having diarrhea over 4 weeks ago in India but just thought it was the normal “Delhi belly”. But coming into Ethiopia, it became a lot worse, and my team forced me to finally go to the clinic since the diarrhea wouldn’t stop. I think my record was going 10 times in 4 or 5 hours. It was ridiculous.
The fourth hospital visit was the one that we finally got solid answers and effective medication. They diagnosed me with a strong bacterial infection, typhus, and they also found an ovarian cyst. The doctor’s exact words were “your stool is full of nothing but bacteria”. I’m so thankful that I had a super thorough and caring doctor that took lots of tests to ensure that I was given the right medicine this time!
Being sick recently has been not my cup of tea for sure. I’ve been discouraged and bored…missing home and amenities at home more than ever. But the Lord is greater than my trials.
Every step on the Race, the Father has used each experience to teach me something new. I do not doubt for a second that there is a lesson in here somewhere, even though I’m still searching for that answer. I am reminded of when Paul struggled with the thorn in his flesh.
“But the Lord replied to him,“My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. 10 That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.”
Friends, family, and future racers I want to encourage you! We serve a mighty God who is in control. He is healer and defender! Do not let your sickness or disease put distance between you and the Lord. Have Him be the one you run to!
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Now to all future racers (or anyone considering the WR).
Here’s a list of tips for if/when you are sick on the World Race:
1. Be honest with yourself and your teammates with how you are feeling!
They love you and want to help. You won’t get better if you don’t speak it out.
2. If you are sick for too long, remember you are not a doctor!
Don’t just let it “ride itself out”… life overseas can bring you in contact with foreign sickness that you aren’t aware of. If you are sick longer than a day or two- GO TO THE DOCTOR. (If my teammates read this, yes I know I am the worst at this).
3. Have a hard drive with movies stored so that you will be able to pass the time!
While I’ve been sick, I finished all the Hunger Games and Taken series again… lol. My team made me count the amount of movies I’ve watched this month– the total is now up to 32 movies at least! Wowza!
4. Water is your best friend. Even if you aren’t thirsty, keep drinking because fluids are the answer (almost always).
5. Humble yourself. Let your team love you and take care of you.
My team, Mariposas, has been incredible this month. They brought me food, water, sweet encouraging cards, and crushed my pills (yes I still can’t swallow pills but I am working on it lol). And they even prayed over me as I took my medicine in the morning and evening to be able to get it down through the nausea. My poor Team Leader, Aspen even sacrificed two Sabbaths (rest days) in a row to take me to the hospital. My whole team went above and beyond, even by helping me while I barfed and cleaning up my soiled things– now that’s a true sister in Christ!
6. Sleep sleep sleep. Try to get as much rest as your can while you are sick.
7. Even though you are missing ministry and team activities, do not be discouraged and know that you still belong and have a place on the team!
8. Even when you are at your wits end and feel defeated and think your best option is to go back home—DON’T!
This too will pass. Just hold on for a little bit longer. We serve a God who heals and redeems even the most broken. And won’t He do it again!!!!!
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Thank you to everyone who has been praying for me while I’ve been sick! Your prayers are so appreciated.
I’m so thankful for you all, for access to medication, for my super amazing team, and for an awesome God who is always so faithful!
Future racers, please do not hesitate to reach out to me if you have any questions or want more details about my experience on the Race!! I would love to talk 🙂
In Christ,
Hannah
