Something mystical happens on the world race in regards to public bathrooms. In the US we generally avoid doing our business in public places. I can remember countless times when I would hold it to the point of tears so that I could be in the comfort of my own toilet at home, my own porcelain throne.
Well let me tell you, this all changes on the world race. I have found that some of the cleanest toilets are available at malls, restaurants, and gas stations. Yes, I said gas stations. Nowadays, I find myself holding it, in hopes that I will have the opportunity to do what I need to do in a toilet, not a squatty potty, or in a place where I can feel alone because ironically I feel alone in public restrooms now.
But I have realized that this has actually been a stretch for me on the race. And through this, I have learned that the comforts we cherish aren’t really that important at all. So I can poop in a squatty potty just fine, and I can sleep in a strange bed just as easily as I can on a couch or on the floor, or in my bed at home.
These things become irrelevant to the life you live on the race, because it is so much more than that. So we may have to use an outhouse on occasion, but we are blessed with the opportunity to share the love of Jesus to people who need Him in countries all over the world.
We may be eating foods we aren’t used to and we may be exhausted (both physically and spiritually) but we are lucky to have the chance to even be here, to even be alive. It is by His grace that we run this race with joy in our hearts and smiles on our faces. I wouldn’t change it for anything because this is the experience that God wanted me to have at this moment in my life and I am so thankful for it. We have to take negative things, and realize that they are actually positives in our lives.
And really when I think about it, some of the funniest times I have had on this race have involved the times I have been ushered to an outhouse in the middle of a village- only to find a crowd of people waiting for me to pee. All you can do in these moments is just laugh, and do what you need to do. Hold your nose if you must.
I am currently about $2000 away from being fully funded for the race. I need this money to be in by July 1st and I am confident that the Lord will provide! Thank you all for your prayers and encouragement as I make this incredible journey around the world. I am incredibly blessed to have this opportunity, but I cannot do it alone and this is why I value all of my supporters more than you know!
