I’m HOME! Everyone speaks English and I don’t need my currency converter app anymore.
I met the new puppy, new baby goat, got to hug my horse, dust off that old 2002 Ford Explorer, and officially unpack the backpack I have been living out of for the last year. Most importantly, I have been getting to share life and catch up with my family and close friends. My goodness, if I thought a lot happened for me during this past year, so much more has happened for everyone else! I have been able to celebrate engagements, anniversaries, pregnancies, NCLEX exams, CPA tests, graduations, new jobs, new apartments, and new puppies with my community.
As I’m sure you know as a fellow time traveler, it goes fast. So much of this last year was spent taking in each day and looking for how the Lord was moving in the present, while still remaining expectant of the future, and yet never forgetting what He had done even just the week prior. It seemed like we were all acutely aware of time on the race as each week or month gave way to a new country and new connections. Now sitting at my favorite coffee shop in my hometown almost 2 months after landing stateside, it all seems just a bit surreal.
Quick Recap:
My last blog was in Kyrgyzstan in April (oh dear haha) from there we flew to Mongolia and my team worked with SOS Children’s Villages and the local international church. We then took the Trans-Siberian Railroad to Beijing and finished by meeting up with the rest of our squad in Shanghai, China. After our final debrief, we said our goodbyes and I landed in Los Angeles with the majority of my squad. I then hopped a flight to Phoenix where I surprised my friends and caught up with extended family for a week. From there, one last flight into Boise and I was officially home.
In these weeks, I have been so excited to share about the Race and what the whole experience looked like for me. On some level, it’s always a bit frustrating because I can never fully describe or encompass what God did, what the experience looked like, or what each culture was like in conversation. So I suppose my caveat is a blog will never suffice to accurately describe the Race, but I’m going to give it my best snapshot.
Rapid Fire
- Favorite Country
This is actually impossible to answer. I will say, one of my favorite cities was Beirut, Lebanon. In the parliament area downtown, there was a giant mosque (the biggest I have seen) and just down the street a huge church with a giant cross almost as tall. The tensions were evident, and just walking down the streets posed so many questions. There were old french mansions, powerful graffiti art, and ruins from their civil war all encompassed within a bustling city. I could never quite put my finger on why I loved it, but every day when we walked the streets I was just so drawn into the allure of such a city.
- Craziest Thing You Did
I think the only thing that we did where I questioned our judgement was a mountain adventure in Kazakhstan on our day off. My friend and I ended up hiking a snowy mountain with less than adequate gear and had to slide down the other side on our butts. When we realized reaching the waterfall was impossible, we went for a shortcut to the nearest village to hopefully catch a taxi back. Upon arrival there was a road, a dog, a cow, and a yurt and our hopes of a taxi went out the window. We started down the road to get back to the bus stop but with an hour walk ahead of us, we ended up hitchhiking with a very nice Azerbaijani couple to the bus stop. Fun fact, it was also the only country where we actually could blend with the locals because we looked Russian.
- Craziest Thing God Did
Wow. He sent His only Son to earth in the most humble of fashions to live a perfect, sinless life, share about the Father’s love, empty the power of the grave, and offer not only forgiveness and atonement for my sins, but life and life to the fullest as an heir and daughter of the King. It’s true, the craziest thing God did was set me free–free from death, free from fear, free from finding value in temporary things–and in walking in that freedom I am free to share authentic, unselfish love. From the power of the gospel and these truths, I was able to see God do some crazy things to share His love with those around me. But all the little steps of obedience and asking “who” or “what He wanted to do”, all started with this at the core. It amazed me how God wanted to move and how He did move when I gave Him my willingness to love others no matter the cost to myself, whether it was my time, pride, fear, reputation, or comfort.
- Weirdest Food
It is a toss up between snails in Morocco and mare’s milk in Kazakhstan. Both of which I learned upon having them the second or third time are acquired tastes and do get better. Some “new to me” foods were also horse meat, octopus, and shoro in Kyrgyzstan.
- Strangest Travel Day
My favorite and the longest travel “day” we had was crossing the Caspian Sea from Azerbaijan into Kazakhstan. We spent nearly 3 days on a cargo ship, and then upon landing in Kazakhstan we had a 56 hour train to make it to the city we were going to be staying. It’s fair to say, we ate a lot of ramen noodles and played our fair share of cards during this week of transit.
- Most Important Takeaway
I discovered in a whole new way the importance and power of the church–deep, intimate relationship with fellow believers–and discipleship. Through doing life, (sharing meals, telling stories, speaking truth in love, calling out each other’s gifts, worshipping, and learning together) I learned so much about God’s grace and love. My teammates affirmed my value in Christ and challenged me to walk boldly in daily obedience to Him. I discovered freedom through repentance and confessing things out loud in community. I will say, the church without walls is not “safe” there is no disappearing in a back row, you will be known and get to know others. It’s messy, but in Christ it is the most rewarding thing ever! Through watching and experiencing how others sought after Christ, I discovered new depths within my own relationship with God.
- Staple Foods
Hands down, Nescafe’s 3in1 instant coffees, rice, eggs, chicken bouillon, and oatmeal. I also discovered that Snickers bars and Coke are almost universally guaranteed. In Kyrgyzstan, my treat was finding a specialty store that actually sold Dr. Pepper!
Thank you so much for partnering with me in this journey!! 11 months, 14 countries, 1 squad, and I am officially home. I seriously could not have gone without you and of all the lives changed through this year, mine is for sure one of them. I’m hoping to share a few more specific stories in the next couple weeks. For sure feel free to message me and stay in touch!
Blessings,
Bre
