My teammate Grace so kindly thought of several questions for me to answer about the race in this blog, so enjoy!! (also I would like to preface this by saying Grace Crespo is one of the most amazingly strange people I’ve ever met so some of her questions clearly reflect that)
If you could choose what’s written on your gravestone, what would it be?
Here lies Daven Rae.
1999-2017, when she died to herself.
What is your favorite piece of clothing you brought on the race?
My converse.
What is the most impactful book you’ve read on the race so far?
The Shack or Jesus > Religion or God Has a Name
Current favorite bible verse?
I don’t think I have one favorite but the Lord has been teaching me a lot through Micah 6:8 throughout this entire race.
What has been the best adventure day of the race so far?
Our second day at Victoria Falls. We met really cool locals and shared a $2 plate of authentic African food under a tree and swam with hippos in the Zambezi River at the top of the falls.
What fruit of the spirit is the Lord growing you in… in a fruit?
Bananas for gentleness. You have to be gentle with bananas because they bruise easily.
Who’s been the most impactful person you’ve met so far?
I met this woman in Haiti while we were out doing house visits. She lived in this tiny, dark, one room shack (that she was about to be evicted from) with her 2 sons, one of which was severely disabled. We sat on the dirt floor while she told us her story of giving birth to 10 children and losing 8 of them as infants. Yet still her faith remained. I will forever be in awe of her strength and unwavering trust in the Lord’s goodness and provision. While I will never be able to come close to understanding the amount of grief she has endured, in that moment I was so blessed to be able to sit with her, cry with her, and pray with her and over her son. Her story is powerful and I believe that God will use her faithfulness to impact so many people.
If you were to give a name to no-meat meatballs, what would it be and why?
No comment.
Describe what season you’re in with the Lord in an actual season.
Winter, because the Lord has walked me through leaving behind old habits (fall) and now He’s teaching me the discipline of preparing and waiting with expectancy for new growth in my life (spring).
Favorite kid you’ve met?
Vuyo. Aka Chunk. He is a precious, chunky little 1 year old at the orphanage we are working with here in Soshanguve. His head is so big sometimes his neck gives out and it just flops backwards.
What are some of the African names you’ve gotten?
Spongeela meaning thankfulness, Tariro meaning hope, Nylady meaning stars, Tendai meaning give thanks, Lorato meaning love, Deneo meaning many gifts…
Favorite ministry you’ve done?
I really loved doing prison ministry in Botswana and house visits in Haiti.
Name 3 things you do regularly that you would’ve never done at home.
Requesting constructive feedback, stopping to talk to random people on the streets, and journaling
What’s one thing you wish you brought on the race?
There’s actually a lot more that I wish I hadn’t brought but… probably more socks.
What expectation has been shattered into a bajillion pieces since being on the race?
That these 9 months will seem like forever (they fly by).
What’s one thing you’ve learned from your community?
There’s honestly so much I could say for this question because the community aspect of this trip has pushed me towards growth in so many ways. But one thing is that I’ve learned a lot about intentionality in just about every way. Intentional love, grace, discipline, peace, respect, prayer, etc. Another major thing I’ve learned is boldness in sharing what I believe and spreading the kingdom.
Are you a different person you were 6 months ago?
I would say yes, in some aspects, I am a different person than I was 6 months ago. While I think my personality is still the same, my perspective on many things has changed radically and spiritually I’ve grown a lot as well.
Favorite and least favorite foods you’ve tried so far?
Favorite: Fat cakes (literally just fried dough)
Least favorite: Corn meal pudding stuff that we are almost everyday in the Dominican
On a scale of 1-10, how badly do you want to race back home?
Probably a 5. In some aspects I’m ready for whatever the Lord has next for me, but I also really love traveling and experiencing new cultures so I’m not excited for that to end yet.
What do you miss most about home?
Mexican food and my brothers
Describe your ministry site in 3 words.
Empowering. Community. Growth.
Thanks for reading! If you have a topic you would like me to share about in future blogs then please leave a comment below!
