The World Race begins in a crowded Holiday Inn. I walked in the lobby with my pack on my back straight into hotel chaos. All around the lobby was backpacks covering the floor, and huddles of people talking. In all honestly it was slightly overwhelming. I kept thinking to myself I know I met at least 20% of these people, just find one that you know. I scanned the crowd; set my bags down to fit in, and slowly cruised around looking like I belonged. Finally out of know where I found a teammate! Whew, some sort of stability. I could start to make order of the chaos, and find more and more familiar faces.
Not having any expectations, I walked up to the front counter and checked into the hotel rather smoothly. Got my room number, and key, then waded through the sea of people to find my room. To further create some stability. I wondered to my room and low and behold a woman was already in the room slowly beginning to unpack before I startled her with my presence. We had the good ole awkward conversation, “Are you in the right room?”
We head on down to the front desk to get this all sorted out…and sure enough the clerk transposed my room number and all was resolved. Now am I in a room with three other men on my squad. This is a much better living accommodation.
There still is no expectations on the World Race, but that situation has been resolved.
The day proceeded and first World Race meal was upon us…low and behold it was one Little Caesar’s pizza per room. (really wished I was sharing that with 3 women…..they tend to eat less) After dividing one large pizza among 4 men, you end up with 2 slices and the ting of hunger slowly goes away.
Next I found out that starting day 2 we are going to be living off a typical World Race budget. The challenge going forward is how to feed 7 people on a third world budget in an overpriced American city?
Lucky for us the hotel provides breakfast, so the World Race budget leaves you with $2 for lunch and $3 for dinner. My team, Zealous Love, will have a total of $35 to feed 5 women and 2 men lunch AND dinner. If you have financial resolution in 2014 to get out of debt…try only spending $5 a day on food. This might give you a good starting point for a food budget.
Yes I know, not everyone lives in a hotel with a free breakfast and that includes me starting on Thursday but that doesn’t mean our budget increases. So it can be done, just will take a lot of prayer and wise spending decisions.
At night we kicked the trip off with a night of worship with the parents that choose to come to launch! Thankfully my parents decided to come to learn more about the World Race and meet other parents! It is good to have a support system! I don’t think the Crowne Plaza hotel was quite ready for the presence of God to be felt like that in their ballroom! So wonderful to hear parents and racers praise God for all that He has done! To confirm this is the place that He has called their sons and daughters, to go out and be His light in a dark world!
Be Bold in taking 2014 by storm, to overcome your circumstances and pursue God with everything.
Be Intentional in making every day count in fulfilling your hearts desires.
Officially we fly out on Thursday at 1PM to head to Zambia and should arrive by Sunday assuming we catch every flight. There will be a fun 12 hour layover in Nairobi, Kenya!!! I have spent some time in that airport before so hopefully I can recall all the good napping and eating spots.
