MEET MY HOSTS!
For the last two months I have been living with the two most incredible hosts I have had on the race. The create such an amazing culture of good hospitality, sacrifice, love, and pouring out. Phil and Tanya Smythe, are true blessings. Forever my South African mom and dad. Phil and Tanya are both from South Africa, but for a while they were missionaries in Montenegro! They have hosted World Race teams in Montenegro and also here in South Africa! So I decided for this weeks blog to ask them a few questions and listen to their answers, and share it with all of you! Enjoy!
Tell me a fun fact about your life!
Phil- “Hmm. Well I love my wife! I love living with her a lot!”
Tanya- “One time while living in Montenegro Phil and I biked around all day and handed out bibles to people. It was really special, such a great experience!”
What is your favorite thing about the Lord?
Phil- “His unconditional love.”
Tanya- “How he speaks to me and shows me things through nature.”
How did you find out about hosting world race teams? First thoughts?
Phil- “While living in Montenegro two men came to my apartment and told me they were from the World Race and what it was all about. They told me they wanted to send teams to me and I told them I also wanted that! Shortly after that I got an email from AIM saying I was an “unseen hero.” I was taken back yet excited, I had never been called a hero before! The email asked me if I would host teams and I responded back by saying yes!”
Tanya- “Hosting teams is something I’ve always wanted to do! I enjoy teams so much, especially young people!”
What’s has been your favorite memory with us here?
Phil-“Finding out a new way to feed sharks, while still enjoying the experience! Misery turning into good experiences.” (For those of you who don’t know, a few people from our teams went shark cage diving this past weekend, and everyone who went got SUPER sea sick! Vomiting every where, Matt even threw up while in the shark cage.)
Tanya-“At 54 years old I have learned what it’s like to be a teenager and it’s lots of fun!”
Have we taught you anything?
Phil-“To sort your problems out daily! I like the way you have feedback culture and have team time every night.”
Tanya-“That one girl can be showering, one girl can be getting dressed, one girl brushing her teeth, one girl can be playing music, and one girl can be singing… ALL IN ONE BATHROOM!” (Tanya also added, that we taught her how to cry. IN A GOOD WAY! She was tearing up while I was asking questions and she wanted to make sure you all knew.)
What has been the most unexpected/funniest moment that has happened since us being here?
Phil- “The boys chasing each other around the house and yard with airsoft guns. Oh and of course, doing blind makeovers with my wife!”
Tanya-“Chickie time! The one that included blind makeovers and taking me to the wimpy with crazy clown makeup at midnight!”
If you had one tip for world racers what would it be?
Phil-“Expect the unexpected! Don’t plan ahead, let God led!”
Tanya-“Do not expect others to be as excited as you are.”
How does it make you feel that you two have been my favorite hosts so far on the race?
Phil-“It’s a tear jerker! We’re getting emotional over here!”
Tanya-“It’s bringing tears to my eyes!”
If you could be any animal what would it be?
Phil- “A German Shepard!”
Tanya-“A polar bear, so I could finally be in. Alaska!”
What was your favorite skit we did while being here? (We did weekly bible story skits for the church, they were quite a hit!)
Phil- “Either Lazarus or Jonah!”
Tanya-“It has be to be Jonah!”
If you could describe our teams in one word, what would it be?
Phil-“Unique!”
Tanya-“AWESOME!”
What is your favorite food?
Phil-“A braai!(South African BBQ) or a Sunday Roast.”
Tanya-“Potjie.” (A South African dish, basically stew.)
What are your thoughts on the meals we cooked while being here?
Phil-“Different!”
Tanya-“Delicious! Such a variety of foods and meals! I’m just glad I know how to make tacos now!”
On a scale of 1-10, How much do you enjoy my cinnamon rolls Phil?
Phil- “10!” (These past two months I’ve discovered my favorite thing to make is homemade cinnamon rolls. Baller, I know. But Phil has such a sweet tooth, and is crazy about them!)
If you could describe your relationship with the Lord in one word what would it be?
Phil-“Intimate.”
Tanya-“Eccentric. We have such a wonderful way of discussing things together.”
Any other words of wisdom either of you would like to share?
Phil-“Enjoy your faith walk! Oh and don’t forget me when you’re famous.”
Tanya-“I am very curious to see where all you young people end up in 10 years time. I believe the Lord has big plans for all of you. I do not see any of you as failures.”
