Welcome to my Q&A blog! You all sent in your questions about my race, and here are my answers!
“What is one essential you can’t live without on the race?”
-Hmm, there are a few things. But honestly if I had to pic one, I would probably say my art supplies and my journal. I tend to paint or draw every day during my devotions, and that is a way I connect with my Lord and creator. My journal is super helpful for processing and remembering the mundane, day to day moments.
“How has your view of third world countries changed from before the race till now?”
-well before the race I had the opportunity to do missions in a few third world countries, but before then, I didn’t know a whole lot about them. I think the biggest thing is it is incredibly humbling. To see how the people are so conent with so little compared to how we live back in the states is incredible.
“What is one thing you wish you would have packed?”
-my Polaroid camera. Yes, it would have taken up a lot of space with film, but they are so nice for keepsakes, and giving to hosts and friends you meet in country.
“What is the first thing you are going to do when you get home from the race?”
– If possible, have my dad cook some quality burgers and eat some homemade salsa! Snuggle up on the couch ( I didnt realize how much I took those for granted!) with my kitties and hangout with my parents! Oh, and eat some quality Wisconsin cheese!!
“What is an interesting fact about one place you have been that surprised you?“
-I think the landscape of Peru suprised me a lot. The mountains of Chile were so dusty because it was the desert, but the mountains here in Peru are like nothing I’ve ever seen. They are full of grass and trees and they are GORGEOUS.
“What are your plans for next year after the race?”
-I am going to be taking part in another program through Adventures in Missions! It is called CGA, which stands for the “center for global action”. CGA is a leadership program that is based on Gainesville, Georgia. It helps prepare WR alumni to follow the calling the Lord has on thier lives and live out thier dreams! I’m so excited to learn more about the Lord in this 6 month program, and see what the Lord has in store for me during it.
“What’s up with Nepal?“
-well, some of you may seen that my route has changed slightly! Instead of going to India for 3 months, we will be there for 2 months, and then month 9 will take place in NEPAL! When they anncounced this yesterday I literally peed my pants. The reason for the change is that they want us to have the best ministry opportunities possible, and 3 months in one country tends to be a lot for ministry hosts. We are BEYOND excited to reach another country!!
“What gives you the most JOY on the race?”
-The little moments. When a little girl from our VBS runs and gives me a giant hug, meals around the table filled with laughter, seeing the beauty and majesty of the Lord- like the mountain right outside our window. The Lord has been teaching me what it looks like to really cherish the little moments and as my mentor says, “put them in my pocket for later”.
“What have you learned most about yourself along this journey?”
-wow, that’s a hard one. I have learned SO much about myself and my identity as a daughter of Christ. I’ve learned that I am His beloved. I have learned confidence in who I am as a person, that I am wise and have good things to say. And so much more, but the Lord has been continuously teaching me about my identity, and how it needs to be rooted in Him.
“What is the next country you want to visit after the race?”
-haha I haven’t thought about if I’m going to travel a lot after the race. I would love to go back to South Africa and visit Cape Town, that’s on my bucketlist, also maybe someone in Europe. But I haven’t thought a lot about traveling after so far!
“What has been your favorite meal on the race?”
– one of our last meals in Romania was a type of really yummy cabbage rolls with this yummy sauce… I can’t even explain what it was but it was SO good, and now likely my favorite meal so far. While we were in Greece I also had this seafood carbonara pasta that was definetly one of the best dishes I’ve ever eaten.
“What is your current ministry?”
-currently we are working with Calvary Chapel in San Sebastian, a town right outside of Cusco, Peru. We are doing VBS programs every week with the children of the neighboorhood in the mornings, and then going to a local university in the afternoon to practice English with the students there. We are also hosting open Mic nights at our church to build relationships with the students and be able to then plant seeds of the gospel!
Thank you all so much for the questions! If you have any more please send them in and maybe I will do another Q&A in the future!
