A while ago, I took to Instagram the opportunity to ask me any question about the Race so far. I felt like this would be a good way to connect with my followers and to spark interest in my journey. This blog holds the questions asked, as well as my answer to them. Enjoy!
1. Have you seen a McDonald’s?
Good question. Actually yes, multiple. Craiova is a somewhat large city, and they have a McDonalds about a mile away from our house!
2. How do Romanians feel about Americans?
Romanians mostly view us and our country as an amazing place. I’ve met several people who say that they’ve always dreamed about moving to or visiting America. They see it as an end goal, a place to go in order to start a lavish life. On the other hand, a small amount of people haven’t been the friendliest to us, because they consider us entitled or too loud. There is definitely a mix, but overall they say we are friendly and inviting. Romanians are very relational, so they enjoy being sought out.
3. Best food I’ve tried so far?
This is tricky. We haven’t had much traditional Romanian food, as we’ve been preparing our own meals here. Because of this, we cook meals we are familiar with, such as quesadillas, stir fry, and chili. I recently went to lunch with a few Romanian girls, and we ordered a super good dessert! It’s called Papanasi, and it is basically a fried doughnut ball that is filled, and covered, with a cream and sour jam topping. It was so good, and apparently that is a huge staple here.
4. How did you get this amazing opportunity?
I actually found out about the World Race from a friend. I was considering YWAM, but then my classmate showed me youtube videos of this gap year mission trip program, and I knew right away that’s where God wanted me. I started out with the desire for a gap year, and that transformed into a mission trip idea. After long hours of researching, I found where I was meant to be!
5. Best experience so far?
I am currently writing a seperate blog post about this experience. This is a hard question, as there have been numerous “best experiences”; some are fun, some are ministry related, and others are just absolutely random. I think my favorite and most inspiring experience has been meeting a girl named Eliana. She is so amazing, so of course she gets her own blog post!
6. What surprised you the most about Romania?
I’ve been most surprised by the amount of unbelievers and spiritual warfare that is here. During one of our first sessions, our host Raul said that only 0.2% of southern Romanians have a “born again” faith. That wasn’t a statistic I was expecting. Here, we are truly pioneering for Raul’s church, and laying new foundation everywhere. The lack of believers and less-than-occasional positive feedback from evangelism can make you feel like you’re alone. I knew that there was dark magic and beliefs here, but I had no idea just how strong. We’ve had to pray peace and protection over our squad, our home, and our individual health because we can truly see and feel the heaviness.
7. How many places have you been so far?
So far, including travel days, I have been to 4 countries. We had a connecting flight in the Netherlands when we first launched, then obviously, our ministry country and where we’re staying is Romania. On a mini-vacation, we took a road trip to Greece, and had to cross through Bulgaria to get there. Sadly, border patrol officers don’t feel the need to stamp your passport nice and neatly. Most of my stamps barely show up, but hey, memories!
8. What is it like living with that many people?
This question also needs a blog post of its own. I think, like anything, it has pros and cons, but it is an experience that I will forever be thankful for. There are moments when you miss home: crowded bathrooms before ministry, waiting for the washer, doing dishes for 28 other people. But there are so many more moments that make it the best thing ever: random dance breakouts, worship with so many voices, the funny stories, the endless amounts of clothes to borrow. I now have 28 extra siblings and words can’t even begin to describe how much I love them all.
9. Have you peed or pooped your pants yet?
No!! My team leaders warned me at training camp about the fact that almost all of them had an accident on the race. That instilled a fear in me that I would experience this for myself, but thankfully I have not. Plumbing here in Romania is almost identical to the states, except that you can’t flush toilet paper. You also have to pay for public bathrooms in train stations and parks (fun fact!) My point is, there are bathrooms somewhat readily available almost everywhere. However, I have had some teammates already check this off their to-do list. We had two weeks where almost half of our squad had some kind of stomach virus, and there were a few times my teammates didn’t make it. Also, it’s become common for people to laugh so hard that they pee their pants. I’m hoping I stick to my goal and that I won’t have any embarrasing stories to tell you all.
10. What is one way you wish you would have prepared yourself more?
I wish I had began interceding for my time here before I came more. Prayer is a very powerful thing, and I wish I realized that sooner. I think if I had prayed more and truly focused in on ministry here, that the transition would’ve been easier and my heart would be guarded by steadfast faith in God’s process and plan.
11. What is one thing you’ve learned?
This is SO hard, geez thanks. I’ve learned so, so much. One of the things that has hit me hardest is the question “what am I basing my relationship with God on?”. I think for the past few years especially I have made my church community the main part of my faith. Hanging out with friends, taking to heart what the teacher had to say, and relying on others for worship, lessions, and homework. During debrief, one of our team leaders, Cami, talked about how she struggled going home after the race. Not many people around her were building her up and challenging her like the race did. She felt an emptiness and sense of defeat for a while. Then she realized that she can be all the community that she needs. Learning to not rely on others for bible studies and worship is a key part to making God a priority. Worshipping alone in your room, doing bible studies and research by yourself, and spending time alone with God is all you truly need. I think that was a big realization for Cami, and for me as well. At home, and even here on the race, I need to focus on my relationship with God most so I don’t feel empty and alone when this is over. Yes, community is such an amazing thing to have, but sometimes it isn’t attainable or the same for people. Carving out time for your eternal best friend by yourself, not based on someone else’s agenda or schedule, is something that I’ve definitely learned is key to truly knowing Him like a friend. And to abide in God is to know Him and follow Him, not others.
