The following blog post is something I copied and pasted from my friend Carley’s blog. I think she perfectly answered all of these questions better than I could have, so all of these words are hers except for what is written in purple are my own words! Thanks Carley for letting me share this! Feel free to check out her blog if you’d like: carleytravis.theworldrace.org

 

I am so thankful for all the support I have received in regard to the World Race. However, I had no idea so many supporters equated to sooooo many questions! I’m going to hash out questions many of you have and answer each to the best of my ability.

 

Q1: When do you leave? 

  • JULY 31st. I LEAVE JULY 31 FOR 11 MONTHS! Launch begins in Atlanta, GA on August 1.

Q2: What countries are you going to?

  • South Africa, Zimbabwe, Zambia, Malawi, Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos, Thailand, Peru, Ecuador, Chile, Argentina

Q3: How many people are you going with?

  • There are 38 people on my squad who will travel to each country with me, as well as a few Alumni Squad Leaders who will travel with us and guide us the first few months on the field. BUT, we have been assigned smaller teams of 5/6 people to live and serve with on a regular basis. Throughout the year, our teams will occasionally change.

Q4: So, what clothes are you taking?

  • Not the norm! (aka I can’t over-pack…) I will alternate a few pairs of culturally acceptable clothes. 

Read my last blog here to see an exact list of what I’m bringing.

Q5: What kind of luggage are you taking?

  • We are allowed two bags. Our “pack” and our “day pack.” My pack is larger and will carry all my clothes and sleeping stuff, while my day pack will house technology items and miscellaneous things I may need on a day to day basis.

Q6: Will you have to take a year’s worth of everything?

  • Some things, yes. Most things, no. For example, I’ve heard stick deodorant, hair ties and Q-tips are hard to come by. Also, I am packing a year’s worth of prescription medicine. But, for the most part, there are markets and airport stores that sell the necessities throughout the trip…or I will do without!

Q7: What about the cuisine? Will you have safe food?

  • Food will be different. Dining will be different. I’m sure portion sizes will be smaller and meals will consist of foods I’m not accustomed to. But, as far as I know, I will have access to clean and healthy food. We have a team budget and will go buy meals/snacks at a local market if need be. 

Q8: Oh, and water…what about water?

  • We are advised to drink prepackaged bottled water throughout the race. If there are not any water bottles in the surrounding area, we also have access to water purification tablets to dispense into the local water.

Q9: How will you shower?

  • Bucket showers are the norm! I will get very comfortable with bucket showers and cold water. I may get lucky enough for a “real” shower from time to time.

Q10: What about your cell phone…and WiFi???? 

  • I am taking my phone and my laptop! I will be blogging regularly, so that will be my primary form of communication. However, I will not be on my phone as normal and won’t be regularly connected to the internet. I will mostly connect with you all while at an internet cafe. Connection can be spotty. I will certainly learn to live primitively! 

Q11: Are you going to be in safe places?

  • First of all, God did not call me to be safe. I vowed to step out of my comfort zone when I committed to the World Race. But, for peace of mind…there is a specific team at Adventures in Missions who work tirelessly with ministry hosts in each country to ensure we are serving in safe settings.

Q12: What are you doing when you get back?

  • I personally think I am doing this entire year injustice if I become too concerned with what career path I will follow upon returning. I want God to use me this year in whatever way He chooses and I want it to guide me and shape me. I think He will show me where my passions lie and what path to take after the race. (Amen to this!!!!!)

Q13: Do you get to have any visitors?

  • Not really. There is one week in Ecuador where my parents will have the opportunity to serve alongside me during “Parent Vision” week. They, and any other parents who come, will spend the week doing ministry with us.

Q14: Do you get to come home any? 

  • If a major health issue arises and I need to come back, yes. Also, if anything life altering (within reason) happens at home, I am able to come home and return to the field if I so choose. Beside extreme cases, I will not be returning to the U.S. until June of 2020.

Q15: Where will you stay?

  • I’m taking a tent but I will not tent camp every night. On occasion, I will be tenting outdoors near our ministry facility for the month. Often times I will stay with a ministry host in a room/building they provide for my team and I. Some months are ATL months, where we literally ‘Ask The Lord’ and follow His lead in both ministry and housing during that month.

I don’t have all the answers about the upcoming year, and I’m sure my response to some of these questions will change by the time I return. But, again, I’ve learned through this process I’m not created to plan each increment of my life or know exactly what each upcoming step is going to look like, nor should I assume what it is “supposed” to look like!

 

With love,

Hals