In honor of 111 days of being on the worldrace, I decided I would share 111 things I’ve experienced and learned thus far!!
111: One way we can measure our growth in Christ is to the degree to which we love people
110: At training camp, they set up a scenario where we had to sleep at the “airport” over night to be prepared in case it happens on the race…. Well it happened.. It’s happened a lot!
109: Community living is hard but it is also a blessing. Choose to invest in each other, it makes a world of a difference
108: No matter how many times you call home while on the race in the same month, asking “what time is it there ?” Will never get old
107: Honestly, I don’t think I’ll ever get used to Cold bucket showers, they’re just so cold !!
106: Only 1 percent of the population in Nepal is Christian
105: I visited The southern most point of Africa called Cape Point, this is where the Atlantic and pacific oceans merge!
104:Reading has become one of my hobbies! I’ve read more books on the race than I have in my life, by choice 🙂
103:There are penguins in South Africa, who knew !
102: Living amongst a large group of people, I’ve learned to appreciate moments of solitude and silence.
101:When your waiting for your bag on the baggage claim, that just happens to hold all your things for the whole year of your life, and it doesn’t show up, don’t worry maybe in 2 weeks you’ll get it back.
100: My first time Preaching in front of a group of people was in a church in Nepal.
99:Sometimes when handed food I learned to not ask what it is and just eat it
98:I’ve learned you must Never get weary of giving love because there are too many people who don’t have it. “But as for you brethren, do not grow weary in doing good.” – 2 Thessalonians 3:13
97:You can never fit too many people on a Nepali bus, or so the bus driver thinks
96: Ear plugs are the best invention known to mankind
95:Sometime on the race you get to ride a motor cycle, and take a trip to one of the oldest national park in Nepal all for free 🙂
94:Burning trash on the side of the road is custom in some countries… (Don’t be surprised if you have black boggies)
93:Sometimes on the race, when it’s past your bedtime you become a bit delusional and laugh until it hurts
92:Speed limits, although they exist, are only suggestions in other countries
91:Humility is a very important quality, The word says “…be clothed with humility, for God resists the proud, But gives grace to the humble. Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you.” -1 Peter? ?5?:?5-7?
90: I’ve ate more popcorn in Swaziland, than I have ate at the movies combined
89:I have used less things in my 65 L pack than than I imagined, truly we can live off much less than we do
88:On the king of Swaziland’s birthday, no one is allowed to work, if you do you have the risk of going to jail
87:Dark fantasy cookies from India are like heaven in your mouth
86:When your with kids and you don’t have a ball or cards to use going to old school hand clapping games works wonders
85:In South Africa , you don’t have to wear shoes pretty much anywhere
84:You are never too old to learn kid bible songs! By far “Father Abraham” is my favorite
83:Uncle Johnny’s is a little mom and pop shop in oceanview, the city we did ministry in South Africa! They sell sour tongues and peanut clusters, you can’t find none like it!
82:All my life I thought I wanted to be traveling often in whatever career I chose, but after Traveling every month has made me realize that I would like to have a place to call home.
81:I saw my first shooting star one night in Swaziland and the best part, was that it was right in the middle of the Milky Way.
80:Hurt people hurt people, but that doesn’t mean you hurt back, those are the people that need the most love.
79: while being on the race, I’ve got to sleep in a bunk bed several times and I love it 🙂
78:Sometimes in Swaziland while shucking corn you met a princess
77:In the culture in South Africa, It’s normal to leave the door of your home open during the day and have people come over to chat and have tea; the best part is it makes it easy to make friends
76:Washing clothes by hand is strangely satisfying
75: Conflict isn’t something we go through; it’s something we GROW through. Be a coffee bean in boiling water, it doesn’t allow conflict to affect it, but rather it changes the water!
74:If traveling to Asia, it’s most likely you’ll stop in Qatar in a layover. They have the most extravagant airport I’ve ever been to
73:I got to see my teammate be healed of celiac disease! (Autoimmune disorder where your body doesn’t process wheat)
72: I learned the importance of simplicity; slowing down your pace and soaking things in are key
71:I was invited into people’s homes more often than I thought would happen, and they spoiled me with food and gifts.
70:As of right now, Swaziland government has prohibited the adoption of children from their country.
69:”And the Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome but must be kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful.” ?- 2 Timothy? ?2?:?24?
68: Being on the race, the odds of running into another world race squad is pretty high.
67:I’m understanding further, that our salvation comes from his grace alone, not how hard we serve; “not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us” – ?Titus? ?3?:?5?
66: Sometimes your ministry host loves your name so much he says the full thing several times each time he sees you.. “Ana Maria Soto, Ana Maria Soto” I took it as a compliment 🙂
65:The best way to watch a sunset in South Africa, is while listening to Lion King.
64:Leggings aren’t consider a garment of clothing in most countries outside of the US.
63:Typical meal in Nepal is.. Rice, curry chicken and Dali (it’s like a spicer version of pico de gallo )
62: I learned it is beautiful and encouraging to meet people who are sensitive to the Holy Spirit, meaning they can quickly hear what God is asking of them and are obedient to it. I’m still growing in this and it’s awesome.
61:Don’t walk around with food in your hand, if there are baboons around, they will chase you down!
60:We did a day called “faith day”, where we went out into Kathmandu without any money or food, trusting God would provide…. Well He over delivered! The Lord placed generous people left and right to provide our needs for the day.
59: Laundry services aren’t always easily accessible due to lack of water, so sometimes you just have to wear your dirty clothes for a while, don’t worry you don’t notice the smell after a while
58:It’s possible to poop your pants while walking down a mountain
57:You and I are God’s masterpiece and He is not finished molding us into the people He wants us to become “…You are our Father; We are the clay, and You our potter; And all we are the work of Your hand.” Isaiah? ?64?:?8?
56: “The bar in our Christ walk is not perfection but it’s about the willing heart to wage war on sin.” – Juliana jones
55:On the race you learn that creepy crawlers are also your roommates
54:When we have surrender our lives to Christ, we have a great assurance in our salvation. God says “Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus,” – Romans? ?8?:?1?
53:Eating a what looked to be a chicken sandwich from the Kolkata airport in India, might not have been the best idea.
52:”Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day.” -2 Corinthians? ?4?:?16?
51:If you happen to be using lead paint and it drys on you, to remove it, gasoline seems to do the trick.
50:The Lord wants to entrust you with more but we have to be trusted first with even the little things ” Well done, good and faithful servant; you were faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.” -?Matthew? ?25?:?21?
49:Wai wai is precooked noodles in a bag, you often eat for lunch during ministry days in Nepal
48:South Africa’s currency is Rand, and it’s 12 rand to 1 dollar
47:Great white Shark diving is not as scary as it seems, plus I got to wear a wet suit which make it even more fun!
46:Nagrakot is a beautiful place in Nepal, where you can see the Himalayan mountains.
45:Nepali street kids are super great at soccer, so prepare to get your butt kicked against them :p
44: C.S Lewis once said ” Love, as distinct from being in love, is not merely a feeling. It is a deep unity, maintained by the will and deliberately strengthened by habit; reinforced by the grace which both partners ask, and receive from God.” The Lord is refining my idea of love
43:I met a tour guide who takes people on expeditions up Mount Everest which takes weeks! (Ps. Nepal is the home of Mt. Everest)
42:God has been teaching me the importance of meditating on scripture as a way to stay focused on Him but also as a way to reflect on his great works
41:Finger of God, Father of Lights, Furious love , and Holy Ghost are my new favorite documentaries! Watch them they will rock your world !
40:The Lord said one day to me “it’s not what you’ve done but what you are going to do”. I might have made many mistakes in my life but The Lord is in the business of redemption and He will use those the world wouldn’t choose.
39:I now understand the meaning of car sick, thanks to lots of bumpy roads
38: Qatar airlines gives the best snacks! “Would you like twix chocolate bar ?” … YES please ! 🙂
37: Soo Apparently I look like a Nepali, but more specifically like an actress named Menisha
36:Phase 10 and banana grams are worldrace “must haves”
35:Doing insanity workout on the race, for some reason seems to be 10 times harder
34: “out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks” (Matthew 12:34) – if His word is tattooed in your heart it will be natural to speak forth His truth and life to others and yourself
33:Driving on the left side of the road, doesn’t seem so weird after a while. At some point you get used to it and it won’t feel like you are driving on the wrong side
32:The tribe we did ministry with in India, used to be head hunters and through the work of one missionary, the history of their tribe changed forever.
31: I experienced many people accept Jesus in their lives during the race, it’s a beautiful thing
30:Worldrace attire is truly anything you can put together, that stinks the least
29: “Very truly I tell you, whoever believes in me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father.” – John? ?14?:?12? This taught me that The Lord is going to use me to do greater things than I could ever imagine.
28: My Hmar tribal name is Lalrongbawl – meaning one who serves The Lord
27: 2 mountains, no trail, lots of scratches = Indian mountain hike! All I can say it was quite the interesting journey ….To get down the last mountain, I literally had to slide down on my butt!
26: Chai tea and cookies before breakfast, might just be the way to my heart !
25:Vulnerability is one of the keys to powerful growth within community
24:I went Surfing for the first time in Cape Town, it’s fun but one of the most dangerous activities I’ve ever done; be careful not to get hit in the throat with the board, it hurts for days
23:I discovered I have a passion for teaching
22:Airplane rides have become so exciting, because I get to meet new people and have solid conversations with them
21:Our ministry host in South Africa gave up their home for missionaries to live in! Guess where we lived …. 🙂 It’s amazing to meet such an obedient and selfless family.
20: Sometimes showers on the race look like 2 min of running water once a week, so naturally, baby wipes become your new best friends
19:Nepali street boys have a special place in my heart, it is actually possible to feel like they are your children.
18:When your upset about something you did wrong, The Lord doesn’t want you to deal with your emotions alone. The Lord says “Come now, and let us reason together,”….“Though your sins are like scarlet, They shall be as white as snow; Though they are red like crimson, They shall be as wool. -Isaiah? ?1?:?18?
17:During one of the biggest holidays in Nepal, celebrating their God of all their Gods, I met and prayed for an atheist Nepali to experience the Holy Spirit…. And he did !!
16: One day on a layover on our way to India, I was unexpectedly interviewed by a Bulgarian news group, I’m famous now lol
15:Working at an orphanage has grown my compassion and love for my family. I am truly blessed to have people who care for me and love me unconditionally
14:There are hipster kids in India too!
13:When praying for people, I learned when you ask God what He thinks about that person or what He would like to say to them, you would be surprised the cool things The Lord will say. It’s a great upgrade to your prayer
12:Freeze tag has other names around the world. It’s common to India as Ice Water and to South Africa as stuck in the mud .
11: I got to live in a hut made of bamboo in India !
10:I discovered that their is actually people who have no idea who Jesus is and have never heard of him. It made me further understand why The Lord says to go and proclaim His name into all the nations
9:Traveling from the US to India was the toughest travel day on the race yet, jetlag is actually a thing!
8:I discovered a new love for hammocks, they are great!
7:In some countries cutting grass with a machete, is the way to do it
6:Sometimes loving your teammate well, looks like letting them sleep with you in a twin sized bed after having a nightmare in the middle of the night!
5: God has provided me more than $14,000 for the worldrace ! Provision is part of his character. He will never send you where he won’t equip you.
4: Leaving the comforts of home, if not careful, can lead to the “poor mentality”. This is when you cling on to things (especially food) as if we won’t have enough. Unfortunately, this mentality is not trusting God in his faithfulness to provide all your needs.
3:The super natural become normal in your life when your living it with the Holy Spirit
2: The Lord has grown my passion for adopting one day, I can’t wait to see which little boy or girl He will allow me to call my own.
1: LOVE LOVE LOVE
