(insert moving and erroneous picture here…however romantic it may be)
I’ve been having a difficult time figuring out what to post. They encourage you to post once a week, if not more. I’m scrounging around my brain to think of what to write about, and it isn’t that I don’t have anything to say (obviously with my loquacious banter in previous posts). It is that I don’t know what is right, appropriate, correct, or the ‘norm’. What do they want me to post up here since their name is on it? They and their being the World Race.
But my name is here as well, and so I guess that’s all I can offer. Erin Cramer. Sometimes honest, brutal, raw and a little self-deprecating. Sometimes beguiling and charming and not taking it as seriously as I should. Sometimes wrestling and most times crying seeing as I cry all.the.time.
Sarah McLachlan and those dogs – DON’T EVEN.
So, there’s a lot that I have in my heart to share. However, I’m not quite ready to get that cozy with the virtual world just yet. So, here’s some little factoids about the World Race (& there goes half of y’all…)
When am I leaving?
July 2015
Is it associated with a church?
No, The World Race is non-denominational and only affiliation is with Adventures in Mission. All faith based, however, in the good name of Jesus Christ.
What will I be doing?
Any number of things from teaching English, to comforting orphans, to carpentry and gardening. I honestly am not too sure, and would prefer to really keep it that way. I don’t want to cheat my way through this experience, instead live every experience with all the organic purpose that was meant to be absorbed.
Where am I even going?
- Albania: where they drive on the right side of the road and their nominal GDP is $14 billion. (What?)
- Romania: where they use RON as currency, and all great gymnast are cultivated.
- Malawi: where their government has a national dance troupe, in which I will insist they initiate me.
- Zambia: where the calling code is +260 (expecting to be inundated by Vannessa Fulgencio), and the HIV rate has declined 25% in the past decade.
- Thailand: where it is actually a Kingdom, and so I will return to marry into Thai royalty…which is just above Knee royalty (bahahahahahaha)
- Cambodia: where they are dominated by monsoons which is tropical wet and dry. Leading me to believe tropical wet means dry? Which means humid? But in a desert jungle? Either way, I will not be doing my hair.
- Malaysia: where there are over 620 species of birds. Susan, your bird watching haven awaits you here.
- Ecuador: where they use the U.S. dollar, but I will be broke, so this is irrelevant.
- Peru: where beans come from their capital, called Lima Beans…this is not true…in the least.
- Bolivia: where as of 7 hours ago, China will be financing their steel plant. Whether this is one of many or standing alone, I have no idea. I only read the headline.
- Chile: the very skinny and very envied girl of South America.
I am joking about the majority of these self proclaimed factoids, but the truth is there is a lot of hurt and heartache in these 3rd world countries.
Where the norm is for people to need a de-worming kit rather than the household dog.
Where they are still shaken from the Iron Curtain and it’s ever lingering presence.
Where a young woman my age will look me in the eye and ask me where my God was when her family was murdered in front of her and she was thrown into sex slave trafficking.
Where my current state and condition, cuddled in a blanket listening to Christmas music in September, would be a vastly different reality and luxurious comfort to most.
I feel drawn to listen to these humans. Listen and hug them. And then listen again. Give them whatever luxuries I have on me, and move to the next country and listen to the masses there. With any luck, they will feel Christ at work and maybe feel something we take for granted: validated and loved. My goal is to hug the world.
To any curious kitties out there, more information : tap it here
Ok, very excited that I just inserted a hyper link. Tre chic and s’graayt.
Anonymous Human: What kind of effect do you think this will all have on you in the end? Like do you think you will regret it when you get back?
Me: Yea, I don’t think this is one of those experiences you come out of saying,”Meh, it was alright…could have done without, you know, all the poverty and freezing showers and life changing landscapes..a bit much for me.”
