Over the past couple weeks ive been asking and getting questions about the race and so I thought I would make a blog about the last year of my life!
How did you find out about the race?
I found out about just over a year ago from one of my friends older sister. She did the race a couple years ago and was telling me about it and I remember sitting there thinking, “this is what I want to do, NO this is what I AM GOING TO DO!” A year later here I am haha.
Why did you decide to do it?
Going into gr 12 I knew that I wanted to do a mission trip of some sort but all the ones I looked at you were only gone for ½ the year and I wanted something that would take up the school year. It also gave me the possibility of travelling to 4 different countries and explore their culture and do ministry in different ways.
How did you know that it was the right choice for you to go for 9 months?
When I first made up my mind before I told my parents I had a lot of peace and excitement towards it.
Were your parents on board with you leaving for 9 months?
No they were not fully onboard at the beginning. It took some time and research on my moms half before they finally trusted me and the Lords plan with me leaving.
Did training camp help prepare you?
Um… in some ways. It got me in the mindset that we would be camping in tents and having bucket showers all 9 months (which to me would be so fun!). my route so far has been really “coushy” or bougiee to put it. We have had houses, buildings with hot showers and beds the whole time so far. However, the talks and sessions were really awesome.
What is the weirdest/ most adventurous thing you have ate on the race so far?
I have not had anything to adventurous since on the field but some of my teammate have ate guinea pig and a lizard tail. I am waiting for Cambodia next month for crazy food! However, if you count all of my time on the race, at training camp back in the summer one morning they served us blue rice, a fermented blue egg, and crickets. Lets just say the crickets did not spend long in my mouth.
If you had to sum up your time on your race so far in one word, what would it be and why?
Patience. I have learned a lot these past 5 months a lot of patience and how much you need to have living with 45+ people 24/7. It has been cool how before the race I never thought of my self of a patient person. I always wanted things down now and my way. But gods been teaching me and giving people words of patience to speak over me and that its ok to wait and not have it my way.
What does a typical day look like for you guys?
Monday- Friday I wake up at 6 and do morning devotions till breakfast at 7. Tuesday’s and Friday mornings we have deep Dive ( dig deeper into scripture) and then we leave for ministry at 8:45. We teach a class from 10-11:30, At 12 we go out and do house visits around the village. And then we have another class I the afternoon from 1:30-3. Then come home and have dinner at 5:30 and team time after that ( includes worship and a word -Monday’s-, journey markers -Tuesday-, blogging -Wednesday-, feedback-Thursday-, team activity -Friday- )
How many times have you washed your crocs?
Only one time in Peru…
They are still going strong!
Do you wear your crocs as much as you did at home?
Yes! Probably 10x more than I did at home… haha my team always laughs at my crocs and socks.
Im reading a book right now that my squad leader told me to read called This is awkward by sammy Rhodes. With in the first 3 pages of the book it says “I probably should awkwardness. I don’t mean wearing crocs with socks (if you do, please gently lay down this book and text your most fashionable friend for help).” So if this awkwardness doesn’t describe me then I don’t know what does.
What’s been your favorite place you’ve visited?
By far where I am now, GUATEMALA!!! It is beautiful from the people to the surrounding volcanos. There is always music and the villages and homes are so colourful. The tradition clothing is so bright and vibrant it is just beautiful to be apart of everyday.
Fav sunset/sunrise so far?
My favourite sunsets probably would have to be the ones my team all gathered on top of the roof to watch set in Peru. The were beautiful every night and seeing how happy my teammates got and the joy it brought to them was an experience in itself.
The most memorable sunrise was when we did a morning hike last month. Its unable to put into words how magnificent our creator is and how intricate each star is, and then the light starts coming up and just seeing His glory shine over the mountain tops. It will be a moment to never forget or take for granted.
What’s the best food you’ve eaten?
The rice in Peru! I don’t know what our cook put in them but it was amazing.
What’s something you’ve done that you never thought you’d do?
Well I just finished reading the entire Old Testament and I never thought I would be able to read it all. So halla
What is the one thing you miss most from home?
Driving. Freedom to go places by my self and the snow on the mountains. Constantly being surrounded by at least 1 other person if not all 40 of us you tent to miss quite time and having the freedom to go places by your self.
What is the best thing about being on the Race?
One of the coolest things about the race is the community we are in all the time. It constantly makes me want to act more like Jesus and encourage others to do the same.
What is one food that is common that everyone eats but you don’t really love? Plantains. Everyone loves plantains however I am not a huge fan of them.
If you want to chat about my journey or the world race in general, or really anything about life please don’t be shy to reach out! I would love to pray for you, with you about anything.
Send me an email or Imessage me at:
[email protected]
Ella:)
