I think the race looks glamorous all the time but that just isn’t the truth. There are ups and downs, highs and lows. Sure, the beauty and greatness outweigh the lows greatly, especially if you have the right perspective. Just to straighten things out, here are some of the tough times I’ve had so far.
In Japan, we didn’t have heat during the night. Praise the Lord for a 0° sleeping bag in 30° – 40° weather. But getting out of that bag in the morning…. ouch! I did love the snow though!!!
As an introvert I had to get use to being around people all the time. Yes, I love them dearly, but I was tired! I have definitely grown a lot in this area already and I know there is more to come.
Nightmares came back for me in Ishinomaki. It was not fun losing my sleep and peace. I am so grateful for my squad during that time as they prayed for me and encouraged me during those days. Through conversations with my team I have actually learned that people generally have pleasant dreams they enjoy. I could not remember one personally. They weren’t all terror nightmares but they were stress filled or simply strange. I’m excited to announce that two nights ago I did have a memorable pleasant dream that I enjoyed. I can’t remember ever having one (even though I’m sure I did when I was younger). This is something I am praying for currently so I’m very excited what God continues to do in the area of dreams.
There were nights were I couldn’t sleep and had to function through a full day after. There were times I was having difficulty processing things and I had to learn how to not let it affect my day or interactions with others.
Upon arriving in Taiwan I experienced a huge culture shock. Ishinomaki had been quiet and people were in their homes by dinner time. In Taipei, we lived right above one of the busiest night markets. It was loud, rambunctious and went on till past midnight. I had a difficult adjustment period but eventually grew to love the night life.
We had to put our golden retriever down. I was glad to be able to have a video goodbye but it is definitely not the same.
I love the people I am with but in this journey I am separated from my family, friends and my support system. During a difficult season I was reaching out to my people back home but with the time difference it can be difficult to connect. There are times were I don’t have WiFi for days at a time (which is much better than weeks) but on days I miss home that is tough.
Then there was camping once we arrived in Hong Kong. Yes it was beautiful but man I had to fight fear. Cows were poking their heads into tents and stealing food, they were eating anything on the tables (including baby wipes!) and being pests. Then our first night, we encountered the boars. I have never been around wild boars and I would prefer not to ever again. They rip into tents and will grab hold of them and try to run away with them. They dragged one tent quite a ways our first evening. They like to steal your stuff and take it into the woods to plunder. It was quite an experience. Then getting a stomach bug for 24 while out in the “jungle” doesn’t help anything.
Now we have made it to China. So we arrived at the train station and as we are getting ready to go to our hostel we learn they have overbooked and there is no space for us. We look and find nothing anywhere. We we slept outside of the train station ??? definitely an experience. Not horrendous just not what you expect. I actually got a full nights rest and walked away with only 5 bug bites on my face.
Now I’ve come across them the entire race but this is the first country where a squat toilet is the only option. (Google it. It’s the ground ones not the ones you and I are use to). This has definitely been a learning experience for me. One with messes that you learn through.
And the silliest possibly… is food here. Yes, I know I’ve been a picky eater my whole life but that’s not what I mean! Coming in I thought a struggle would be trying new things but I’m actually doing great there! It’s the amount of food im being given. We are learning and getting past this stage but it’s been a rough week being over fed.
Those are the main ones but of course that isn’t everything that’s been hard so far. In the same way I can never tell you all the great things happening, I will be even less likely to tell you the tough things.
Now, in all this, the race is fantastic and these are but a blip in my journey.
