Y‘all asked and I tried my best to answer. Thank you for all the question! (Even the ridiculous ones from x-squad members)
How many bubble teas and/or gallons of milk have you drank?
I have no idea the answer to this question. Milk was a rare item in Africa but when I did find it I went all out especially at the end of Zambia after not having it for the whole month, drinking 10 liters in about 3 days. Bubble teas in Asia are simply a blessing and the number is too high to count at this point. In Vietnam and Cambodia I averaged about 5 a day, but before you judge you should know 1 cost about $.70 USD, and many were free either from rewards programs or making friends with the people who worked there.The last 2 months I have slowed down drinking only 1 in Laos, and 0 in Thailand.
What’s been your favorite experience so far..dying during man month in Zambia, dying from malaria in Vietnam, or dying from the amount of attention Asian women have shown you?
Dying during man month in Zambia. There, I at least had all the guys who were going through the same stuff, and some ridiculous stories came from the month.
The others two have just caused a lot of uncomfortable situations that I could do without.
Weirdest food you’ve eaten?
The weirdest food I’ve eaten has either been a caterpillar (Zambia), tarantula in Cambodia (just bit the leg not the body), or a mystery meat sandwich in Vietnam.
What’s been the most useful item you packed?
The answer can change based on what our situation is for a particular month, but one thing I am glad I brought is my pillow from home. Whether I am sleeping on a bus, van, plane, tent or the ground I can get decent sleep having that. Also noise canceling ear pods have really helped when I need some introvert time.
Where have you felt God moving the most?
I’ve felt Him move the most in Laos. Going into the month we had no “for sure” connections and He gave us multiple people to work with in the Underground Churches, and multiple times I felt His presence in certain situations throughout the month. For a country that desperately wants to keep Him out, He is very much at work!
Most memorable person you’ve met?
Tough question. I’ve been lucky enough to meet some pretty great people in every country. Some memorable ones have been the people last mont in Laos, also our host and teachers in Cambodia. But I’d say the family and friends we met at Dzaleka Refugee camp stick with me the most. Their unwavering faith and attitude about life was incredible. We only spent a week with them but I still speak with them and others in the camp regularly.
Scariest moment you overcame?
The first time I was supposed to preach at a church in Africa and 5 minutes before they tell me its no longer a 20 minute sermon but needs to be 45 minutes. That led to 5 minutes of pleading to God to give me the words He wanted to share, and hoping it would make sense. And to be honest I have no clue how it actually went. The congregation thanked me for coming afterword and said that they got something from the Lord in the sermon, which was my only hope. Whether or not they were just being nice I have no clue but I felt a lot of peace after.
Biggest bug you’ve seen? What was your most traumatic bug experience?
Spiders aren’t bugs but saw a lot of hand and palm sized spiders. The cockroaches in Africa got pretty big, 3-4 inches. Most traumatic experience was in Zimbabwe sleeping on a mattress on the floor and being woken up by cockroaches crawling all over me.
How many times did you go to the doctor before they finally diagnosed you with malaria?
I went 2 times and on the 3rd trip was when I tested positive for malaria.
How many tattoos did you get on the race?
I’ve gotten 2 tattoos on the race. Plan to one day finish my sleeve on my arm but right now it doesn’t financially make sense to have money go there! (Sorry Mom & Dad)
Have you been bamboozled into eating any bugs?
Unfortunately yes… I was in the middle of introvert time in the bush of Zambia, laying on a bench listening to music, minding my own business. When my Squad Leader, Rob, walks up holding a bag of something in his hand and motions if I want one. Being the trusting person that I am, I don’t even think to take my headphones out and ask what it is. Next thing I know I’m chopping down on this salty, slimy, chewy thing. Meanwhile, Rob is bent over laughing. Turned out to be a caterpillar, a Zambian delicacy.
What are 3 things you want to do differently when you return home that you did not do previous to leaving for the race?
1. Make personal time with the Lord each day a priority and cut the amount of time I spend with things that take away from that. (Netflix, TV, Xbox, Social Media, etc, etc)
2. Get involved in a church community. This year has truly taught me the importance of having that around you. I used work as an excuse as to why I didn’t get involved before, and I’m done making excuses. Also, want to take the time to truly invest in my friends lives.
3. Live out “Life is ministry, ministry is life”. (See last question for more detailed answer)
Has being on the race caused you to wrestle with your faith?
I wouldn’t say wrestle with my faith as a whole but definitely some things that have caused me to wrestle with God. Some of them being things internally I have been walking through, some general race things, but also world things. There is a ton of brokenness, and evil in the world and I knew that coming in but seeing it in person was way different and sometimes harder to deal with than I would have expected. Having that internal argument of “I know you’re here God, but I am struggling to see where in this situation.” has been tough at times. I’ve come to just trust that He’s got a plan that I just can’t see.
Out of all the places you have been is there any that you would want to live?
I’d love to live in Malawi. Loved every second of that month. The ministry opportunities and the people there really have a special place in my heart. I also liked Laos and could definitely see myself living there.
Are there ways you have experienced the Lord in new ways? If so, why do you think that is?
I have definitely experienced the Lord in new ways while on the race. I think this is because I have been much more focused on Him. The race has stripped me of a lot of traditional comforts and I have had to run to Him for comfort. I think this has allowed me to experience Him in new ways.
Do you feel it is easier or more difficult to be a Christian in an American society where we tend to take things for granted vs. places where faith is looked down upon/forbidden?
Interesting question. As far as being a Christian is concerned it’s just easier in America because we have religious freedom. Those I’ve met in closed countries, that are Christians, I personally believe have a way better understanding of counting the cost of following Jesus and the choice to pick up their cross daily. Many in these places are shunned by their family after becoming a Christian, or are persecuted by their governments. In many places they are arrested, tortured or even killed for being Christians. I am not trying to say we in America don’t understand faith or wouldn’t do the same but it does make me wonder how many people in America would truly be willing to get arrested, tortured or die for the Gospel. The reality is we don’t face those kinds of persecutions and until you’re in those situations I don’t know that you’d honestly know how you’d react. I’d love to think I would be like willing to do that but look at Peter. He was with Jesus throughout his ministry, told Jesus to his face that he wouldn’t fall away when others would, but when it came time Peter denied Jesus 3 times. The Faith shown by those who are persecuted is truly remarkable!
(My next blog will be on what I experienced in the underground church and differences I saw)
With lack of technology, not seeing friends and family, etc. what is something you’ve learned to value while being on the race that you may have taken for granted before?
Time & Relationships! That’s a very broad answer but I’ll give some examples. Before I left when I was living back at home, I spent most of my free time by myself, instead of spending it hanging out with my parents. Not that we need to spend every moment together but I wish I had taken more time to just hangout with them. Another example would be getting back to people. Most of my friends would probably agree that I am a horrible communicator. If I got a text from someone, chances are it’d take hours sometimes days to respond. Being across the world, half the time with no communication, it has really made me value the chances I have had to talk with family and friends back home. I really want to bring that home with me and make the most of my time and chances I have to talk with people. Whether its spending an extra 30 minutes with my parents or calling a friend I haven’t talked to in a while.
When thinking of the race ending, what things go through your mind?
A lot of different emotions, excitement, nervousness, sadness, gratefulness. I’m excited to see family and friends, have my favorite foods, be in a place where the majority of people understand me without the need for a translator. I’m nervous about how it will be adjusting back to a new normal. I am nervous about finding a Christian community. I’ve spent this whole year constantly living with others, and people who are constantly pushing you to go deeper. And I am not sure exactly what that looks like back home. I’m nervous/excited for the future and what God has in store. I am interested to see how He combines my passions together and how I can continue building the Kingdom. This year has truly been one of the hardest but best years of my life. The thought of it ending makes me kinda sad. But mostly I am just grateful. I’ve had countless moments of just sitting with God in situations and just asking Him “How did I get here?”. And each time I just feel so humbled but joyful. I am so grateful that God gave a guy from small town Ohio, whose life for a period of time showed no signs of following Christ, the opportunity to go and do this with Him! A leader at our last debrief said it best.
“People say you’re making a sacrifice to be here, it’s not a sacrifice, its a privilege!”
And I 100% agree with that statement!
How has the race changed you and your way of thinking? How are you going to apply the things you’ve learned about God once you come back state side?
One way has been what I find my happiness and identity in. I’ve been fortunate in my life that I have been able to have nice things and have tremendous opportunities but before this year the happiness I would get through these would eventually fade and I would have to to look for it again in something new. Being out here I have gotten to witness people who have absolutely nothing, no belongings, no opportunities, nothing; but have so much joy and life because their hope, joy and identity comes from Christ. I am not saying that those who have abundance of things, or tremendous opportunities don’t have happiness but for me I didn’t find it there. This year I have learned to place my happiness and identity in the Lord, even when things absolutely suck. I am trying my best to live out Colossians 3:2.
“Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things”
Another is what a relationship with the Lord actually looks like. An hour on Sundays, praying for God to bless my food, and asking Him to do things when I need something isn’t a relationship He desires or, deep down, one that I desire. He’s the God of the universe and desires to have a relationship with me! That is just such a mind blowing fact when you think about it. This year I have really tried to make a point of having daily quiet time with the Lord. And the the days when I don’t get that time in I can definitely tell. I also feel like my prayer life has changed. I recently read a book called “Dangerous Prayers” by Craig Groeschel (highly recommend either reading or listening to his podcasts on apple podcast) and he breaks the book down into 3 sections; Search Me, Break Me, Send Me. After analyzing my prayer life most of my prayers were selfish, and not that those are bad because God wants us to tell Him the desires of our hearts but I think there can be so much more. Those three prayers have become something I have tried to pray daily and there has been a lot of fruit that has come from them! Seriously, I recommend that book or podcasts.
How I plan to apply all I’ve learned about and from God when I get back is by trying to live out “life is ministry and ministry is life”. I think constant pursuit of a relationship with Him will help with that but also being in a community that wants that as well. People who will be there to support you in the things you do well but also be there to call you higher and push you in areas you struggle in. It’s so against the norm but having people who are going to call out the areas you need improvement is so important. And being willing to accept it, and realize it comes from a place of love and not malice is another huge piece.
I want to be available to God in every area of my life. One of my mentors back in Mississippi told me about a sign that was outside a church that said “The missions field starts here”. You can build the Kingdom anywhere! You don’t have to go around the world to do it. I think that start with being open to listening to what God has for you and following the Holy Spirits leading. And sometimes that might be looking crazy in public.
These are very brief answers for these last two questions but I hope that somewhat answers your questions. Thank you again to everyone who has followed along and supported me on the journey. My team is currently in Bangkok, Thailand where part of the ministry I get to do this month is teach golf! We leave on the 21 for Ecuador in South America to finish out the last 3 months of the race! Again, thank you for all the support!
-Adam
