9/14/17
Over the past 4 days we have been traveling to Swaziland, and after 2 long bus rides, 2 planes, and an unexpected tour in Doha, we have arrived in this small country in the northeastern corner of South Africa. For travel days we are given a limited food budget, and sometimes the bus doesn’t even stop long enough for you to use it. I have been eating about 2 “meals” a day, and I can’t remember the last time I brushed my teeth. We have had opportunities to shower and wash clothes, but this has stretched me to say the least. Not having any control of what is going on and when you can fuel (or relieve) your body is challenging, but this is exactly what we surrendered when we signed up for the World Race. You aren’t a World Racer until you flip your underwear inside out and get on with the day (hasn’t happened to me yet, but my poor friends).
On travel days we spend a lot of time together, yet there is also lots of time to get lost in your mind. If you don’t know me, I am an introvert and I like to process my surroundings and feelings by observing. Recently, (I would reference the day, but time is an enigma these days) while racing around Doha on a tour bus, my friend Maggie caught me in one of those moments asked me how I was feeling. I was caught off guard, but I immediately had an answer. I told her I felt so good about everything. Walking through the airport with my squad feels right. Driving though South Africa feels right. Not sleeping, although it doesn’t make me feel good, has not affected my mood or changed my perspective on the World Race.
I am writing this on my phone on a bus ride in South Africa because I have plenty of time here, and I feel like processing this with you. If you have never been to South Africa before, it looks like eastern Washington mixed with the classic Africa you have seen in National Geographic. (We ate lunch next to zebras!) Currently, the season is transitioning from winter to spring, and as it changes the farmers burn their crops to prepare for their next field. Just like the farmers have been preparing for the next season, God has been burning all the fear, doubt, and negativity in me towards the race, leaving me with the peaceful content feeling I have now. Every travel day He has burned another fear or doubt, fear of not sleeping enough, fear of smelling bad, doubting I’ll make it 9 months, doubting I’m ready. I put my trust in God a year ago when I applied for this gap year, and he is faithful still.
Pray for health and patience for our squad, as it is all squad month, which means that all 51 of us will be living together for the month. Also, internet is VERY limited, so you might be reading this in October!
