Hello! I’m currently on a plane going to Hong Kong as I’m typing this. We have a layover there, and then are going to the Philippines for our 4th month of the World Race! A new season is starting for our squad on the World Race which I’m excited for. We’ve spent the last 3 months in Central America, and we’re now going to Asia. Not only this, but our teams have changed. We’ve had the same teams of 7 people for the last 3 months, and I had 3 men on my old team, but my new team is with all women. For this month, they’re doing what is frequently called “Man-istry” month which is a month where the men and women are separated and work in all-men teams and all-women teams.. We’ve also had a route change due to safety concerns. We were scheduled to go to Kenya, Uganda, and Rwanda this March to May, but we’re now scheduled to go to Vietnam, Zambia, and Malawi from March to May. I was a little sad about not being able to go to Kenya, Uganda, and Rwanda, but I’m still excited for the new countries.
Our last weeks in Nicaragua included evangelism, construction, and attending a goodbye party. One of the days that sticks out is a day that we were doing evangelism, and we talked to this family that was husking tons of corn (I think that was what they did to make an income), and then we helped them husk the corn after we talked with them. When we left, the Nicaraguan we were with randomly asked us if we wanted to ride a horse (travel by horse is quite common in Nicaragua), so I got to go on the saddled horse and ride it for just a little bit which was fun. Later that day our truck broke down, and we had to wait a while for it it get fixed. Another thing that stands out is that one day we literally drove over a shallow river with our truck because we had to get across . It was scary and fun- it reminded me of the game the Oregon Trail. It was also cool to see all of the random herd of cows that went by the river and the town too. Another day that was interesting was when we went to a place that had a rich, new development with model homes and internet in each house, and the people weren’t as inviting as they usually are and were too “busy” to talk with us. It was really interesting to experience that in Nicaragua and see how having money affects your relationships and views. During our last days, I also got to go to a mall that I got to go to the last time I was in Nicaragua, so that was cool. Spiritually, I’ve been learning to take pressure off of myself and to rely on God more. I’ve been praying to hear him more and to acknowledge what he has done/is doing more.
I love the culture and language of Central America and will miss it. One of things that I love about Central America is that many people are very hospitable and relational. I’m ready for a change though and a renewal of spirits. A lot of my teammates/squad mates were sick last month and a couple were struggling with wanting to be on the World Race, and one decided to leave. I’ve been really healthy, but I have a cold right now. I spent 3 nights at a really nice hospital in the capital with a teammate that had been sick for like 3 weeks. Everyone’s doing a lot better now.
When we first left Nicaragua, we took a flight from Managua, Nicaragua to Atlanta for a layover, and then we took another flight from Atlanta to Los Angeles for another layover, and as I said, we’re on a flight to Hong Kong for another layover, and then we finally arrive in the Philippines! Lots of travel to get to the Philippines! Haha. This flight I’m currently on is 14 hours! It was nice being in the U.S. for a little bit even though it was just in the airport, it was nice to be back in the “Home Country. We had a long layover in Los Angeles, and I got to see my friends that are living there- Ashley and Josh, and Ashley’s boyfriend named Thomas. I didn’t get to see them for as long as I thought I would, but it was still so fantastic that I got to see them! Also, my family sent me a package there, and I got some supplies and goodies. Thanks guys! 😉 Some of my squad mates had family or friends come too, and a lot of them gave our entire squad cookies. It was yummy!
I’m really excited for the Philippines and Asia. I don’t have hardly any experience or knowledge about Asian cultures or languages. I learned that “Kumusta” is like “Hello” in Filipino. Filipino is the official language there and so is English. I’ve heard that a lot of people speak English there. It’s quite interesting here because Spain ruled the Philippines (through Mexico) for like 500 years, and then the U.S. ruled it for about 50, and now it’s independent. So it their culture and language is a mix of Spanish, English, and Filipino. I’ve read that it’s the most western-like and Christian nation of eastern Asia. When it’s morning in Asia, it’s night in the States and vice versa. My team along with 1 other team is staying at a ministry that does a variety of things such as providing a Christian school, helping pregnant women, and offering food.
1. Please pray for 2 of my squadmates that went home- that God would continue to work in and through them and give them strength and peace
2. Praise God for everything he did in Central America- praise him for protection, provision, health, and opportunities in ministry
3. Pray for quick adjustment to culture and for a renewal of spirit and that we would glorify God this month
Where in the World is Jacelyn Bendel?
