Thank you for everyone who asked a question, or three (Brooke Stewart)! Without further ado, here are the answers:
What would I get if I added powdered root of asphodel to an infusion of wormwood?
Brady: A really big mess.
Marin: An elixir warding off the symptoms of werewolfishness?
Do you think Jasper will like living in South Dakota?
Brady: Jasper is a Cowboy cat at heart. I think that he will adjust very nicely to the big skies of South Dakota. He may find that the rattle snakes are a bit tougher to tango with than the Gardners.
Marin: Yes, but he’ll get less auntie snuggles I think than in MN.
What country’s ministry did you feel most passionate about and/or which country would you most love to return to continue working in?
Brady: To my great surprise, I loved door-to-door ministry in Uganda and Rwanda. It was truly an opportunity to minister and pray for people on an individual level. I liked it because it made me uncomfortable and I had to rely on the Holy Spirit every time we went out and something unexpected always seemed to happen. With that being said, Rwandan and Ugandan culture is very different and I don’t think door-to-door works well in the states.
In terms of going back to a country: If it was just for a vacation I would go back to Thailand. Thailand has a million things to do (hike, motorcycle, amazing food, mountains, beaches, pet tigers) and it is CHEAP. What more could a MacIver ask for? In terms of going back for ministry its a tie between Montenegro and Vietnam. While these cultures are very different, they are similar in that they recently came out of communism and are a large majority agnostic. On the race, the Lord has really put a burden on my heart for un-reached and under-reached people that have never actually heard the true gospel of Jesus. Both of these places have many villages/towns that fit that description.
Marin: I would love to return to Montenegro or Albania. I loved loved loved the Balkans- the people and the scenery and the food and the cool weather! It felt like home. I’m not sure if I could pick a ministry. Honestly, we’ve had stellar ministries in every single country with amazing hosts.
What are you going to do for your first date in America?
Brady: Good question!!! I’m hoping for a good triple date on my parents pontoon with both of our Mom and Dads. Individually, I want to take Marin out on the lake for a day of fishing.
Marin:Yay fishing!
What do you feel is the biggest thing God has taught you or spoken to you about on the race?
Brady: That I am capable because of him. For a long time I put limits on what I could or couldn’t do in life. In Uganda he really broke me down as I worked toward being able to honestly pray: “God, do whatever you want with me, use me in any way you wish”. I still don’t think I can pray that prayer in honesty all the time, but I can pray it more often than I could before the race.
Marin: He’s shown me how active he is all around the world. That he is the God Who Lives. Everywhere we’ve gone we’ve seen him at work in the communities and in/through the people there. It’s been amazing.
What culture do you feel accepts Americans the best?
Brady: I’d agree with Marin, Albanians really like Americans.
Marin: They really loved us in Albania. But really all over the world people have been very welcoming and accepting of us.
What is the weirdest thing you were okay with being on your hands?
Brady: Pig poop, paint thinner, fire ants…its hard to pick.
Marin: Does lice count? Lice.
How has the World Race changed your world view?
Brady: It is not as foreign as I used to think. Many of the churches and people have similar celebrations and problems to those in the states. Basically, it has reaffirmed to me how much everyone needs healing and transformation through Jesus-both near and far.
Marin: One thing it’s shown me is that parenting/child rearing looks really different in different cultures. In some places, kids wander around for hours without their parents with them. In other places, kids under age 5 are playing with machetes. In other places, they breast feed much longer than the USA. It’s made me much less stressed about raising future children. It’s shown me there’s not just 1 right way to raise kids. It’s shown me that kids turn out great and are loved well all over the world. It’s encouraging!
What has been the most surprising thing that has happened on the race?
Brady: How much you can communicate with someone who doesn’t speak the same language.
Marin: My first night here at our ministry site in Costa Rica, I climbed up into my top bunk of our bunk bed. I stretched out and started curling up for sleep. Next thing I knew I was on the ground. Falling through the bunk bed was very surprising. Things are not made to North American size standards most places that we’ve been.
Thank you again for everyone who asked a question!!!
