So, it’s been over a month since I returned back to the
states. In a way, it seems like I just got back a few days ago…on the other
hand, it seems like the race never even happened. I guess it’s been similar to the
time warp I felt ON the Race.
The question is…what comes after the World Race?
It’s a question I’m still trying to figure out day to day…sometimes
even hour to hour.
Arriving in New York was strange. It was almost numbing. It
was hard to believe that it was over. It was hard to say bye to everyone…but
there was this building anticipation of “CRAP, YAY, I’m going HOME!!”
Within the first few days, I went through the normal culture
shock. On the way home from the airport, my friends and I decided on lunch when
we got into Savannah. My response was this: “oh, it’s so close to your
apartment! We don’t even have to take transportation…we can just walk like 5
minutes and be back to eat!” That was followed by 4 people giving me the
strangest glare…and the response “well, I do have a car…we could just drive.”
After nearly 11 months of having to take public transportation or walking
everywhere we went…even if it was an hour away, it baffled me that we would
waste our gas when our destination was soooo close!
I was so concerned with putting the windows down in vehicles
for the first couple rides (even though the A/C was on…duh!) that it took me
about 2 weeks to get used to putting a seat belt on again.
Stupid little culture shock things.
And then the realization set in. I realized that the World
Race wasn’t just a dream. That I returned back to a country, a life, a culture,
a community that had gone through their own changes. That’s the part that was
the hardest then and even now, it continues to be difficult. 
It’s so weird to see yourself in the light of who you were
and who you’ve become. It’s weird to see the same people you used to click with
and find that you’re on totally different levels. It’s weird to try to live
life as you’ve been used to for almost a year in a culture that just doesn’t
understand. It’s strange to leave the country as “the victim,” “the one with no
voice,” “the weak one,” and “the doubting, confused one”…and come back as “the
one living in freedom,” the one with so much strength,” the one with the
priceless voice,” and “the one with the firm foundation and an undoubted
identity.”
I’ve struggled with finding a happy medium between loving
people here who seem to “wallow” in where they are. Even that sounds terrible and
full of judgment. I’m in a season of finding that medium and loving.
I have to constantly remember that I used to be there…I used
to wallow and give up and sulk. I still get hit with doubt and fear and
insecurity just like anyone else. I still have my moments. But, just like I was
sent to love and learn about God’s love around the world, I’m called to love
here…where I am…in whatever I’m doing. God’s called me to SIMPLY LOVE.
So, what comes after the World Race??
LOVE
It casts out fear, heals, perseveres, protects, restores,
sets free, saves…and everything else you could possibly imagine.
It does what I cannot do in my own power.
It releases His power and His will on His children all
around the world.
So, here’s a list of what I’m doing after the World Race
starting with (of course) the most important…
1.
Loving
God
2.
Loving
myself
3.
Loving
others
4.
Teaching at Providence Christian School as the 3rd,
4th, and 5th grade teacher. This was a HUGE blessing and
definitely provided by God! I interviewed over Skype from Romania and, although
I felt like I bombed it, they met with me again within 4 days of coming back to
America and the next day, I was attending Open House, meeting with the board
and planning my classroom. TOTALLY God ordained…I don’t even fully have my
Masters yet and there are so many other qualified teachers…but God opened the
door and He’s blessed me immensely with such an INCREDIBLE first teaching job!!
5.
Getting acclimated with the people and the
culture around me…while still living free and totally sold out for Christ.
6.
Trying to get re-established. When I left for
the World Race, I literally SOLD EVERYTHING. My first few days, I lived out of
my World Race backpack, stayed on a couch and relied on others to drive me
everywhere. NOW, I live out of a box, I sleep on a couch (still) and (still)
rely on others to drive me everywhere. (Ya’ll ROCK!!) I have my moments where I
can’t WAIT to get an apartment, a car, furniture, my own bed, a kitchen I can
call my own, etc. But then, I think about how nervous I am to get settled and how
I just wanna keep going and going and going. BUT, the truth of the matter is
that I KNOW God has called me here for this season and He’s gonna provide what
I need to settle for this season.
So, this is my life after the World Race! It’s been amazing
to be back! Amazingly awesome, chaotic, crazy, fun, faith-building…
I’m excited to see what else God’s going to do in this
season! He’s already working here in Savannah and I’m hoping I get to blog
about that soon, too.
Last, if you’re located in Savannah and you have anything
you want to donate to help me re-establish, PLEASE, let me know. J I’ll take everything I
can get!
