Well, it is the blog most of you have been waiting a whole month+ for. Haha, well you asked and now I am [finally] answering! :]
For your [easier] reading pleasure, I have divided up the questions into 5 sections…
A. Personal. My opinion about things, etc.
B. Spiritual. Getting a little deeper on the issues here.
C. Practical. Things I have learned, etc.
D. Future. I’m sure you’re all wondering “what’s next?”
E. Dad. Well, because he just earns his own spot ;]
Enjoy!…
A. Personal (Opionions, etc)
1) How was the food?
Well, we had a lot of “cheap” food due to our tight World Race budget, but it was still good…most of the time. We had a LOT of rice and other carbs…, which helped add to the extra pounds I came home with. ;]
2) What was the best/worst foods you ate?
a) BEST: Our contacts in Uganda fed us soo well, with lots of fruits and goodies.
I also definitely had a top 2 favorite beverages list… 1) cha nom yen (iced Thai tea) in Thailand & 2) Kbac in Ukraine (6th floor cafe in the mall downtown had my favorite, if you care to know)
b) WORST: “yellow sauce” in Nepal? Haha. Just really all of the bland food we ate. The World Race has definitely broadened my taste buds!
3) What was the craziest thing you ate?
insects (grasshopper, tarantula spider, etc). Chicken heart.
4) What was your most embarrassing moment?
Oh man, that’s a hard one, do I even have “embarrassing moments” anymore??? But if I had to think of one right now…it was probably a moment when I was trying to speak another language and completely mixed up words and such…hahah
5) What was your funniest moment?
That’s hard to pinpoint any exact moment, but I definitely laughed a LOT! That’s what you have to do to stay positive and enjoy yourself on the WR.
6) In your opinion, what country had the best-looking guys?
Hungary… at least that’s what a man told me when we were visiting,haha ;]
7) Which team was your favorite?
Hephzibahhh!
8) Where was the most interesting/weird place you used the bathroom? 🙂
Squatty potties..? On the side of the road..? Oh here’s one!…On the way home from rafting the Nile in Uganda, a lot of us had to relieve ourselves, so they stopped the bus on the side of the road and we just walked behind someone’s house. Hilarious. I mean, what would go through your head if 30 white people popped a squat in your backyard? haha!
9) Where was the most unusual place you slept?
On the bus from India to Nepal.. It was supposed to be a 13-hour ride and ended up turning into a 46-hour bus ride! Awful. Yeah, and we also got in an accident with a truck…the glass in the back window shattered & bags were thrown all into the street… Fun & interesting times, for sure, but no worries, no one was hurt!
10) Did you have any near death experiences?
Rafting the Nile…and bungee jumping, I suppose. And a random amusement park ride with Bethany in Vienna, Austria on vacation…I thought I was going to fly out from under the safety bar!..Ahh, I’m pretty sure we were both on the verge of tears 😛 haha
11) Were you and/or the team ever fearful for your safety anytime during the trip?
No, definitely not. Even being on an all girls team the whole race, I always felt safe… Daddy God was always looking out for his daughters! :] The only time I worried a little bit was more for my parents when they were on the phone with me when I told them we were going down a dark alleyway in India to find our hostel…and then I hung up on them, haha. No worries though, the people at the hostel looked out for us the best of the whole trip! :]
12) Will you remember how to drive?
First time driving was a 2 hour trip to Charlotte/Gastonia…I survived :]
13) How many annoying questions have you ever gotten?
So many…that’s why I asked you to ask me now, so I don’t have to answer so many later! 😛
14) Besides your parents, did you miss me (Ana) the most?
Well, Ana, you know that I can’t be completely honest about this question on here since the whole world can see this & wonder why I didn’t miss them the most.. ;]
B. Spiritual/ a little Deeper
1)What location out of the 11 countries do you feel the Lord used you the most and why?
WOW. That is a tough question. When I look back through our ministries, I want to say Cambodia. We were able to build deeper relationships with university students every day and share with them about Jesus through our own testimonies, etc. This is even an ongoing process today via our friendships through Facebook.
2) On a spiritual level what was your high & low?
a) High: The first 2 weeks of Kenya (Month 5). I had no desire to do anything (shower, eat, etc..) besides worship God and get to know Him more. It was crazy. But after those 2 weeks, my ‘desires’ hit me again like a brick, all at once. That’s when I knew for sure I had a calling to work with women in some capacity though. During the end of Kenya, I was at some of my most vulnerable and broken spots while on the Race. Yes, I even thought about coming home.
b) Low: Well, those last 2 weeks of Kenya…but also Malaysia (Month 2) & Romania (Month 11). My team was attacked collectively in Malaysia. Romania is a close second though, if not first…I was personally attacked in all areas, a huge one being physical and that definitely effected me emotionally and spiritually.
3) Whose testimony impacted your life the most?
Probably my teammates for sure. Coming from different backgrounds and walks of life, it was awesome to hear how God has been working in all of our lives and transforming us into hearts like His.
4) What was the country or experience that most left you broken hearted?
Probably Thailand. Those women don’t even realize that they don’t have to be working in the bars. My heart also broke for all of the women who are actually forced to work in the bars. My heart also broke for the men who are so broken and lost and searching for something to fulfill them in all the wrong places.
Or the street kids in Ukraine..and especially that older couple I met in the park! I fell in love with them so much and it just hurt to find them on the sidewalks begging for money while I was on my way to the grocery store. I really really have a heart for the homeless.
5) What was the most challenging moment?
Ummm…ALL of it???! Close community life was really challenging… spending 24/7 with people that you don’t necessarily choose to be with, really pushes you…but that’s also what speeds up the whole growing process.
6) What is one face you will never forget of those that you ministered to?
You mean “one face in every country”…?
1, The teen girls in the Philippines who would write me sweet letters all of the time
2, Ming, the little Chinese boy I met at an orphanage in Malaysia. There is just something about little Asian boys that I just never forget.
3, The bar girls I got to spend 30 minutes with each night before some man would come steal their attention.
4, The university students in Cambodia.
5, Daniel, the orphan boy from Kibera slum in Kenya.
6, The kids in Rwanda that I taught songs to one sunny afternoon.
7, Pastor Joseph and his loving family in Uganda.
8, Julie, a little street girl in India. We wanted to adopt her.
9, The orphans in Nepal.
10, The precious elderly homeless couple in Ukraine.
11, My “Bridge to Terabithia” girl in Romania.
7) WHO do you think you impacted the most over the last yr? Was it a fellow racer, contact, random individual or people back home?
I really think people back home as well as my fellow racers. I am convinced that The World Race is mostly about making me more into the woman I have been created to be, all while placing me in a ministry setting each month. In turn, I have stories to share with those back home in order to influence them.
8) Follow-up question—WHO impacted YOU the most??
My teammates/squadmates definitely did because they were the ones who lived with me constantly and were brave enough to call me into greatness. But, I can also think of people in each country who encouraged me in soo many ways and helped give me the strength to keep moving.
C. Practical (Things I have Learned)
1) What advice would you give to someone thinking about doing a mission trip with WR?
DO IT! I can’t promise you that it will be easy, but it’s worth it. You’re going to grow & change in ways you never thought you would.
2) With the lessons you’ve learned how will you use them in America?
You know, I’m not exactly sure. I’m not really the same Carmen as when I left. After a trip like this, that is just impossible. I think I am going to use the lessons of “no shame” and remember how unimportant insecurities really are… I am Carmen. God created me to be Carmen, so I am going to live her out the way He intended Carmen to be. Amen.
3) How do you feel leadership on the race will help you in your future ministry?
I was on an all women’s team the entire Race, if you didn’t know. :] I was the finance leader for my team the first 7 months of my WR and then led a team of women during our last 3 months. I feel like I have gained confidence in leadership and have been given a wonderful opportunity of realizing the different kinds of leadership that women of all types and ages want and need.
4) How has your paradigm shifted in the past year?
FREEDOM! I spent a lot of time focused on the legalistic side of things before the WR, but I have just realized how much more we need to just focus on love and loving others. Did I mention I got a tattoo? ;]
5) What was something you thought you were sure of but now are surprised you believe the total opposite?
I thought for sure I was the only one who was crazy…come to find out, at least 33 other people were too! haha. We all left our lives back at home to go befriend the world. We all hear the same lies from the enemy. We are all unique yet so alike in our hearts when it comes to love. And so much more. The world is a very small place and we are all alike more than we think…we’re never alone even when we “think” we are….
6) How will you adapt to a “traditional” life back home?
It’s not really that different. Because The World Race isn’t some crazy, off-the-wall adeventure (well, it is), but anyways, it’s pretty much living life…just in another country.
D. My Future
1) What has God revealed to you about your future through this experience?
Women’s Minstry. …and somehow letting Meteorology fit somewhere in there too. God has it all worked out so I’m not too worried…just taking one step at a time. :]
2) How do you think the World Race has prepared you for the next chapter of your life?
Marriage haha. For real though…I probably lived closer to these people than I will even be with my husband; because with my husband, I will most likely at least be apart from him for at least an hour of the day, haha.
3) What’s life look like for you after the race?
Well, I thought I had that planned out once again, but looks as if God could be switching it up. I do know that I have a year left of college and I want to finish that. Where or how I do that?..that is still in the workings. I’ll let you know when I know..which should be soon. For now, I’m living at home in NC with my parents and taking each day as it comes. :]
4) What country would you visit again and why?
Out of the 11 (well 14, if you consider “vacation” times)…it would have to be Ukraine! I loved living in Odessa for the month. ..and they speak Russian, which was actually the one language I had a strong desire to learn. Aunt Ernie should be proud! :]
5) How long until you get married?
You tell me ;]
6) Do you have any plans of visiting the Midwest in your future?
Now which “friend” was it who asked me this, and I could give you a better approximation? Haha. Otherwise, I plan to visit the Marion/IWU area a few times over the next few months. Actually, I am headed up there now… Will you be around?
7) Would you do the race again?
Heck NO. But if I had to rewind time & do it all over again, would I? YES. I wouldn’t have traded this experience.
E. DAD
1) Do you want your dad to cry when you first see him, as he hugs you, or for the next few days (as he is glad you are home)?
Oh dad, I love your crying :]
2) Does your dad have to fight everyone off, or does he get the first individual or “first” group hug w/ your mother? (your mother and I may have to compromise on the group hug)
Well…Brooks beat you all to it ;]
3) What is one of the first dishes you want to eat at home (potatoes and hot dog soup, or Rice-A-Roni)?
Well, the first meal that mom actually made was potatoes & hot dog soup…. Hahaha. And you thought you were joking!
4) Do your mother and I have to buy you a new mattress or can we place an air mattress on the floor in your room?(we have been using your bed in the guest bedroom over the last many months).
Beautiful new bed! Thanks dad!
5) Will you remember my name?? (DAD—sniffle, sniffle)
Daddy! I will always remember your name! :]
