11 countries,
11 months…
or something like that.
Actually it was 10 months, 3 weeks
and Uganda was a bust
but who’s counting.
We left with our belongings on our backs and the world at our reach,
little did we know what was in store…
Parasites.
They joined us in Central America,
where pharmacy owners delighted in the sudden spike of Flagyl sales
(they wait expectantly for the next batch of World Racers to show up.)
In those days the world gave us Panahachel, pupusas and pickup trucks,
volcanoes, beaches and waterfalls, but most importantly –
all you can eat sushi.
Honduras: home of the non-bonfire night,
where Dan said Amanda was beautiful
and Casey told everyone to eat a damn cookie.
Romania brought us cows, Cristi and overnight train rides
in Ukraine Stacy went to the hospital for “cat allergies.”
Africa was hard.
Malaria, typhoid, more parasites…
or maybe they never left.
Kenya, Kenya again.
Asia brought the rain, washing away our brokenness
or maybe our brokenness melted away with our sweat
Either way, somewhere along the way we changed.
Change.
We came on the race to change the world
and in the meantime we ourselves were changed.
Our attitudes changed.
Our teammates changed.
Our bodies changed –
more weight, less weight
darker skin, lighter skin
longer and shorter hair,
tattoos and piercings…
we look different.
We look different because we are different.
We are not victims, orphans, abusers, addicts, anxious, insecure, depressed or lonely.
We are not caught up in titles,
we don’t mess with pettiness or unforgiveness.
We.
Are.
Loved.
And therefore, we love.
From little kids to lady boys,
we speak in Spanish, Swahili, Thai or tongues
but above all
we speak truth in love.
The World Race…
11 countries,
11 months
or something like that.
