Being on the race for several months now, weather reports are non-existent due to intermittent Wi-Fi. I’ve learned the art of gauging the weather by viewing my hair in a 2in x 2 in mirror. In the heat and humidity of the Carribean, my hair springs into various forms of curls and frizz. In the Bolivian desert my hair falls straight and flat; a feat only accomplished in the states with and flat iron and about an hours time.
After my weekly shower at the Plaza in Uyuni (a hot shower is totally worth 5 Bolivianos) my hair didn’t fall into its sleek style as it has since arriving in this dry climate. The ends began to curl indicating humidity in the air. I never would have thought how much a little humidity would make me homesick.
Homesick for New Jersey- where I was born and raised. Where the humidity of the summers at the Shore bring back fond memories of fried Oreos and sunrises over the ocean.
Homesick for what was built when team Crisco Unico and us, Hijas del Rey created a family in month one of The Race in Puerto Rico. French toast, sea glass and the humidity in the salty air when the ocean breeze would come to a halt just for a moment remind me of the love and impact the Lord made through us there.
A home is what I found in the Dominican Republic when I felt welcomed into our contacts’ family. Everytime I look up at the stars it reminds me of the chilly nights I lay under a blanket of stars building relationships with the amazing people that I have been so blessed to learn from.
Here in Bolivia, I have felt the farthest from feeling at home. Until last night. I felt a sense of home for the first time sense we left the DR. Last night my team became my home.
Since the day our teams were announced, I have respected and admired the six Godly women that were chosen for this team. I have fallen in love with each woman on my team. I feel at home chatting with these women until the wee hours of the morning. Eating breakfast, lunch and dinner with them. Laughing with them, crying with them, praying and worshiping with them.
In this chapter of my life, this team is my home. They are a home that will go with me to the ends of the earth and back. No matter if we are in the desert, beach or rainforest in the coming months I will rest at home with God and with my sisters.
Photo taken month 2- Dominican Republic
