This blog is going to be a little bit different than most of my other ones, as it is not intended to share spiritual insight or be comedic, as my other ones have typically been. It is, however, an attempt to be transparent with what one of my greatest struggles on the Race has been so far, and how I have dealt with it (or lack of dealing with it).
Almost 6 years ago, I got some news that has quite literally altered the way I live my life. It was my freshman year of college, and I began to have very inflamed joints, horrible stomach aches, and experienced periods of uncharacteristic lethargy. Long story short, I was diagnosed with a gluten allergy.
When I first started my GF journey, there was very little food readily available to me that was gluten free, that also didn’t cost a literal fortune (at least for a college student). Over the years, it has gotten much easier- both because I have learned to navigate my allergy and because food that suits my needs has become more widespread and affordable. I was comfortable and confident in my ability to protect my body from something it rejects.
Then, I came on the World Race, where we get $4 USD a day to eat, and started traveling to countries where they batter and fry almost everything, or depend on bread to fill their stomachs. Reality hit me hard.
I didn’t want to be high maintenance, or affend any of our hosts, but I also knew that eating all that gluten was going to be bad- I knowingly did it anyway. For months, I lived on the race in a state of physical discomfort, because I basically just consumed what was placed in front of me. I had allowed myself to believe that by doing what I needed to keep myself healthy I would be a burden and nuisance to those around me. I was being silly and dumb, but that is how I felt none the less.
The other side of this story is that it is nearly impossible to eat gluten free on the $4 USD given to us per day. Fruits, Veggies, nuts and other similar things go for a high price on this side of the world. So, I gave up and just did whatever.
It was during month four of the race that I began to realize that this behavior was not sustainable. I literally would not be able to make it through the entire year if I kept this up. So, I began to make better choices, but still consumed way too much gluten. Then month five, I came to the realization that I needed to cut back even more. Month six was the first month that I was legitimately able to eat gluten free, and It made a world of a difference in my health. Honestly, it was huge for me. I really have began to feel like myself again.
I had an alumni squad leader who was also GF, and she made the point to me once that to be gluten intolerant on the race was to “pay now or pay later.” What she meant by this was that I would either need to pay more money now to eat in a way that is sustainable for my health, or pay later with my actual health deteriorating.
About a month ago, I had an actual break down (ugly crying and the whole nine yards). I was sick of being sick and feeling awful all the time. But I couldn’t change my eating habits with the budget I was currently working with, so I called my parents and asked for their help. My parents are not going to let me starve as I endeavor to eat in a way that is good for me, I want to make that clear. However, I was challenged by them and some of my teammates to let this struggle be known to my supporters, and to give them the opportunity to help, If wanted.
So here is how you can help me, If you feel compelled to do so:
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Pray for me. Pray that my body would begin to function properly and that gluten would no longer be public enemy #1 to my system.
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You can donate money to what I am calling me “Gluten Free Fund.” I know that’s not super creative, but it’s all I could come up with. My church at home has set up a way to donate through them as I am one of the missionaries they are supporting. If you want to do this please make a check to Rose Drive Friends Church (4221 Rose Dr. Yorba Linda, CA 92886) and include a note in the envelope that designates it as money meant for me. For IRS purposes, please do not write it on the actual check. They can then put it into an account I have access to. I am not raising money for this purpose through World Race/ AIM because money donated to me past what I need to be fully funded goes into the AIM general funds, and not to me directly. If you have more questions about this, please feel free to email me.
I’ll be honest. Asking for help in this area is very, very hard. People have already been exceedingly generous to me, just to fund my trip. I am beyond grateful! Truly I am. It also means swallowing my pride and admitting that I can’t do this without help, which is also very difficult. So for those of you who decide to give to me in this way, please know that I am deeply, deeply humbled and grateful for your continued support of this adventure with the Father that I am on. For those of you who decide not to give, please know that I understand completely, as many of you have donated just to get me to this point.
To close, I’ll just share a brief Spiritual revelation I have had during this whole process. Our physical bodies and spiritual selves are intricately intertwined. We are after all made in the image of God, and our bodies are temples in which the Holy Spirit resides. When one aspect of our being is not doing well, the other begins to suffer as well. The Lord wants us to be holistically well, not just thriving in one area. He cares about the whole of us, our spiritual, emotional and physical selves. I have noticed improvement in my emotional and spiritual self as my have returned my physical self to better health. It is awesome because never have I thrived so much on the race!
Thank you for your wonderfulness! I cherish all of you and pray for you all the time! Thank you also for taking the time to read this blog.
