I still don’t think it’s fully hit me that I’m about to leave my friends, my family, my country, my comfort, and my dog to live out of a backpack and bring hope to so many nations around the world.
From reading other Racers’ blogs, I’ve formed a picture in my mind of what I think the World Race is going to be like. Here are my expectations of what the World Race will hold:
1. I expect to walk to get water, carry it back to camp, and boil it. If there’s one thing I’m sure about, it’s that water (or at least water that won’t cause me to vomit uncontrollably) is not easy to come by. Whether I have to walk to the nearest stream or water fountain, I’m going to have to put forth some effort before I can brush my teeth or drink.
2. I expect to go months without a real shower. Since clean and running water is hard to come by, my personal hygiene will consist of the following: a makeshift bath using a bucket, a dip in a muddy creek, a swim in the ocean, a rubdown with baby wipes (God’s gift to missionaries), or none of the above. I’m going to be a sweaty, smelly mess, and I’m going to learn to be okay with it.
3. I expect to give up online shopping. Sad, but true. Since I’m going to be somewhat of a nomad, I’m going to be carrying my home (tent!) and all my belongings in a backpack. So, I better save room in my pack for things I actually NEED. This will perhaps be the biggest challenge and ultimately the biggest blessing I encounter. I’m going to learn that worldly possessions are just that, worldly. They are here and then they are gone. God is going to teach me to find joy in the things that will last for eternity.
4. I expect to be completely miserable at times. I’ve been sick these last couple of weeks, laying on the couch and thinking about how awful I feel. I can’t help but think how miserable I am really going to be trying recover from an illness in a tent in the middle of the African desert. Maybe not in the desert, but that’s what I picture.
5. I expect to go cage diving with Great White Sharks in South Africa. Yes, I’m serious about this one. It’s always been on my bucket list. YOLO.
6. I expect to make lifelong friends. I’m already getting antsy to meet my team. These people will be my family for 11 months. They will be my best friends forever. I have so much to learn from them and so much love to share with them.
7. I expect to miss my Sophie. My little snuggle bear, she’s so perfect.
8. I expect to cry. I think that I don’t really know the extent to this one. I expect to encounter so much evil throughout the world. How could someone sell a child into the sex industry? How could there be so many orphans but so few people to love and care for them? My heart is going to break so many times on the Race.
9. I expect to fall in love. With orphans, the sick, the poor, women trapped in the sex trade, sweet old ladies in the market… I’m ready.
10. I expect not to know what to expect. This one’s kind of contradictory, but I’ve learned from reading previous Racers’ blogs that I will never fully know what’s in store for me on the Race. And that’s how God wants it to be. I will never fully know how beautiful His world is, how wonderful His people are, how forgiving He is, and how much He LOVES us.
…… 133 days and counting!
