December 13th was my 100th day on the Race. It’s strange to think about myself 100 days ago. I have experienced so many things, grown in so many ways, and learned so many lessons. I could go on and on about all the ways time has transformed me, but for now I will leave you with 100 lessons I have learned thus far on the Race:
1. Reading Harry Potter for the 3rd (or 4th or 5th) time is just as good
2. Teaching is really fun
3. Rest is a very good thing
4. Afternoons in other countries are the best: chai in India, hour rest after lunch in Rwanda, coffee ceremonies in Ethiopia…these places have the right idea
5. Baby cuddles are the best
6. Peanut butter is sacred
7. There are approximately 1,000 ways to eat rice, and I’m pretty sure I have eaten all of them
8. You can fit 27 people in a 12-person taxi
9. You can fit 10 people in a 4-person tuk tuk
10. The best brownie in the world is in Uganda
11. The best donut in the world is in Rwanda
12. Sometimes there is nothing better than an ice-cold coke, even if you never drank coke in America
13. Showing people photos of themselves brings joy
14. “Double double this this” is a game any kid in any country loves
15. Bonfires are universally fun
16. The day you finally find Oreos is like Christmas
17. Strangers can become family in a matter of months
18. Bucket showers become normal
19. Laundry can be a social event
20. Indian food is the bomb
21. But always be ready for sweat and tears to flow freely while eating it
22. Deuteronomy 30:4
23. Rafting the Nile is incredible
24. Wifi in Africa isn’t a thing
25. God always gives you the words to say
26. Preaching is really fun
27. Vulnerability is good
28. Insecurities have no place in my life
29. Perfectionism has no place in my life
30. Dance parties bring people together
31. A smile transcends language
32. Going to bed early is a thing. And its good.
33. My art should not be hidden
34. Make sure that your tent you bring for 11 months doesn’t leak…
35. On that note…you can fit 4 people in a 2-person tent
36. Walking and hour to ministry is really fun and beautiful
37. The “Potato Chip Potato Chip” song is fun in every country
38. Sometimes ministry can be over complicated
39. Just loving and “doin’ life” with people is what its about
40. Dreams do come true when you see a lion on a safari in Africa
41. If you eat Rwandan cake after several months of barely any sweets your stomach will be destroyed
42. Squatty potties become super normal
43. But you can clog a squatty in India…twice…
44. Daily power outages are normal
45. You will get really really good at packing
46. Creative worship soothes the soul
47. Baby wipes have never-ending uses
48. Headlamps are a necessity, and they are super stylish
49. Watch out for monkeys during Thanksgiving dinner
50. Your feet will be the tannest part of your body #chacotan
51. Leave your host a slice of cheesecake
52. Diarrhea is a just part of normal life…and normal conversation
53. I am strong enough to get myself around a foreign city
54. Eating family style and with your hands is totally normal
55. Water is life
56. Rain controls everything
57. #bringbackCadburytoAmerica
58. Contact solution is really hard to find. Plan ahead
59. Sometimes you write a sermon, and sometimes you have to change that sermon right before you get up to preach
60. Always keep hand-sani with you. Always
61. Never go anywhere without toilet paper
62. At some point you stop caring how many days in a row you have worn the same clothes
63. The amount of time you go without showering seems to get longer and longer
64. Time is not normal on the Race. It’s a weird vortex that doesn’t make sense. You don’t know if you have been on the Race for 3 months or 15 years
65. Kindles are so great, I’m sorry I ever doubted. (Paper books are still better though)
66. Privacy is not a thing
67. Personal space is not a thing
68. You can rock 27 and single #Jerry
69. Authentic community is what we were made for
70. The best bread is found in Ethiopia
71. Malaria, parasites, hyenas…just normal things that cause concern
72. You can talk any price down
73. There are so many comforts from America that I don’t need and can thrive without
74. Kavu. Always bring a Kavu. I wish I would have known
75. You will make good, solid friendships all over the world.
76. FaceTime is a struggle. It hardly ever works, but when it does it makes the heart happy
77. Actually finding American food is great, but you will have to bear the gastrointestinal consequences
78. Listening prayer is a beautiful way to connect with the Lord
79. Growing can be awkward, but so good
80. There are clumsier people in the world than me (*cough* Carly *cough*)
81. What the Lord is asking you to do may be hard, but the Lord wants the best for you. He is good.
82. Communication back home is hard, so when you do get emails or messages it reminds you you aren’t forgotten back home.
83. Blogging once a week just doesn’t happen
84. Sometimes you make really fun videos, but you can’t post them because you can’t find strong enough wifi
85. Nothing will happen in a timely manner. The rest of the world just doesn’t care about strict timetables
86. When you are white, blonde, and female you kind of stand out everywhere you go
87. There is a certain vocabulary that goes along with the World Race, you will fall into using it…just let it happen
88. Daily quiet time is achievable and necessary
89. Daily feedback is a part of life
90. I am stronger than I think
91. God made me, and who I am is awesome.
92. Its 2008 in Ethiopia. Their calendar is 7 years behind ours. Weird huh?
93. God wants to be your best friend.
94. Sometimes you spend so much time evangelizing you even dream about it.
95. And sometimes your Harry Potter reading combines with your evangelizing and you dream about converting Voldemort
96. Roads are almost never smooth, traffic is terrifying, and cows or goats constantly block your path. Driving anywhere is a fun adventure
97. Holy Spirit is powerful, real, and eager to help
98. You CAN be free
99. God is present and alive all over the world
100. I was made to do the Race, it makes my heart come alive, and I am so blessed the Lord allowed me to go on this amazing journey.
