My teammate Jamie and me in the Gulf of Thailand.
It all began with a discussion about cell phones.
What type of cell phone will you get when you’re home?
Umm, I don’t know… maybe a SMART phone? An iPhone? A dumb phone?
Then we started talking about cars. My 96 Ford Contour has been slowly deteriorating since I left in July but I haven’t driven anything in 11 months. The thought of having my own transportation to go where I want, when I want is an exhilarating thought. I’m not concerned with what it looks like, I’m now aware of how blessed I am to have a car of my own.
For nearly a year I have had no Earthly possessions to identify me. No car, no cell phone, no cute outfits- unless, of course, you’re comparing tents or travel pillows. Come to think of it, my experience these last few months has been quite the opposite from the world’s perspective. As a Racer, you pride yourself on how little stuff you can live off of. Checking your bag at the airport becomes somewhat of a game- who has the lightest pack?
As we enter the homestretch of the Race, it hit me hard that I would be on American soil in 30 short days. No more ministry briefings, packing and unpacking, sampling strange street food, living out of a bag, wearing the same 5 t-shirts in a rotation… The list could go on.
It hit me that soon I would enter month 12: America. I would have to relearn American culture, both good and bad.
We ended our time in Cambodia with a trip to the beach- just Family Force 6. We stayed in a lovely bungalow right on the beach and enjoyed the benefits of not living in the rice paddies- AC and WIFI!
Family Force 6 chillin' on the beaches of Cambodia.
A strange thing happens to a Racer when he or she gets unlimited WIFI (especially after little to no internet). Each Racer enters a different world, one of emails and Facebook notifications, blog entries and Skype.
I’ve concluded it’s not a good thing. You get caught. I found myself aimlessly clicking on friend’s photos via Facebook and “catching up” with what was going on in their lives. You know how it goes, one friend is connected to another and you want to see what they’re up to…then an hour goes by… then you realize how quickly life changes.
He got married? They had a baby? Engaged? I didn’t even know she was dating anybody!
That’s just a glimpse of what my brain is thinking during my Facebook stalking. Here’s the other half:
Oh gosh. I’m behind. I’m behind in life. I need to start dating someone, get married and start popping out babies to ‘keep up.’ What have I been doing with my life?
Did you laugh a little? Good. Cuz those thoughts were clearly not from God. Boo Satan. Boo.
It wasn’t until I talked to a friend back home that I got out of my little funk. She spoke some simple truth- “Emily, you’re right where you’re suppose to be. You’re right where God wants you.”
Whew. Thanks. I needed that.
As I continue to process reentering the world I grew up in, it’s a bit daunting. I’m different. You’re different. There’s things I’m excited to incorporate back in my life and things I’ve learned I can live with out.
As I enter my last month on the World Race, I’m ready for one more month of ministry. I’m also getting really excited to be home. As these two realities play themselves out, I’m confident I’m right where I’m suppose to be.
We asked our driver to cut the engine in the middle of the ocean just so we could dive off the boat.
It was awesome!
**For your viewing pleasure, here’s a small glimpse of a random day on the Race. Keep in mind we live on about $3 a day for food, so we appreciate free stuff…even if it’s left on a table by a complete stranger…
