Our next stop on our way to Turkey was Nis, Serbia. We spent about three days there, but it was one of my favorite cities on the race. We arrived in the morning and it was overcast and rainy. We exited the bus station and hardly saw anyone. Serbia was another country affected by the war in the Balkans. As we walked to our hostel, we ran into a gentlemen and he told us some brief history of Nis and his experiences there. He told us that the street we were walking on was bombed back during the war and the effect the war had on the city after it was done. It was eye opening and it gave us a very real perspective on what life looked like in His eyes and especially the older generation who lived through it.
We visited a church on Sunday and it was incredible. The pastor challenged us in the area of being thankful. His message personally challenged me because my relationship with God is usually me asking Him for things or saying why this God or why that God? I have so much to thank Him for, but for the most part when I would go to Him it would be for requests or questioning Him. I know thats not how good relationships work with people, but why does it change when I talk to God? I thought to myself, how annoying would that be if someone just came to me asking me for things or questioning me about my every move. I’d probably drop that relationship..who would want that? I’m thankful for God’s grace in my relationship with Him. He doesn’t stop loving me despite me being an annoying little child most of the time.
The message also really put my perspective of thankfulness into check. I should have nothing to complain about. My life is so so good. I grew up in a town that wasn’t ravaged by a war, I have food for every meal. My education experience was excellent and I have the opportunity to travel the world and share the love of Christ with those around me. My struggles and what I would call hardships are so minuscule compared to many of the people I met this year. The pastor had us break into small groups and pray with each other thanking Him for all He’s done and given us. That was my favorite part of the service. We stood in a circle and thanked Him. I remember thanking Him for my health. Something I take for granted so much. I can see, hear, taste, smell, feel, talk and play soccer. Just the fact that I wake every morning and have all of those things should make me so thankful. I remember the group thanking Him for sending His only son to die for us on the cross so that we could have eternal life and a relationship with Him. Its a mindset that I’m still working on. I still focus more on the bad and the complaining instead of the good and thanking, but thankful He’s still working on me.
One of the days we had some free time and I made my way to a park in search of a soccer field. Sure enough I found one. It was nothing to write home about. In its prime it would have been beautiful, but its current state showed years of use. Parts of the turf had been ripped up exposing the concrete and many of the boards surrounding the perimeter were missing. There was a game going on and walked up to watch. The age range was late middle school and high school. I watched in fascination as the middle school team put up a great fight. These kids were good. After the game ended, they asked if I wanted to play. I was in. I talked to Strahinja, one of the older kids and knew the most english. He told me what team I’d be on and it was game on. After the game, I told them I had to run to my next commitment, but asked if they’d be around tomorrow. I then told them about the World Race and what I was doing in the different countries. Strahinja graciously translated for me and his friends. They said they’d be playing around the same time tomorrow. They told me they were on summer break and most afternoons they spent here at the field playing. My kind of country.
The next day we had time before the bus was going to leave and I went back to the field. Luca and Nicola were there early and we shot around and talked. We talked about school, the World Cup and what life was like for them in Nis. The rest of the crew arrived soon after and we played until I had to leave. It was a blast getting to know them on and off the field.
I was bummed I had to leave, but the guys said just let them know when I’d be back and we’ll play again. Serbia is high on the list of places to return to. Its funny, most of the countries I’d like to return to aren’t for the country itself, but for the people in them.
On the race I have discovered new passions and strengthened ones I had. I love using soccer to get to know people and to build relationships. Its almost like knowing another language. I look back on the race and remember all the times I played and how fun it was getting to know and interact with the local people despite not knowing their language. I remember playing soccer in the elevation of Cusco, Peru and how 40 year old men were running circles around us. I remember Dominic in Croatia putting me on skates with his dribbling and laughing constantly with Israel and the guys in Banos. I think its a great tool. Soccer is the in, its a common ground between two different groups of individuals who otherwise wouldn’t have met. It also allows you the opportunity to be a testimony of Jesus’ love to those playing. You can choose respect and sportsmanship. Playing on the same field gives you a unique insight on the different individuals. You know who gets mad, who’s a team player and who’s a jokester. So thankful the Lord has given me the ability to play.
Another passion I discovered this year was logistics. When it came to international logistics my experience before the race was limited to booking hostels for a Europe trip my friend and I went on last summer. I can tell you it wasn’t my strength. I spent an evening two days before our trip booking hostels. I had no clue what I was doing, just finding the cheapest hostel and clicking book now. When they asked me to step in the role in January, I was like oh boy, you sure you me to do this? Its been a great year of learning and growing. I’ve thoroughly enjoyed it and have learned so much. I learned how to travel the world, not just by myself but with a squad of people. It’s been so cool seeing God show up in different ways just from a logistical perspective. I also enjoyed the financial side of managing the limited budgets for debriefs and travel days. Spreadsheets are still gold even on the race. My last internship before the race got me hooked on them and the clear, concise portrayal and organization of information continues to interest me. Thanks Mike…
The final passion I’ve grown in this year is working with the younger generation. A few days ago, a monk student asked me what my dream job would be. After some thought I told him a teacher. I wouldn’t be a teacher right now because, I don’t have much to teach. However, the thought of later on in life and if a school allowed me to stand in front of a classroom and teach, I think I would love it. Not to mention the chance I would have to wear all the ties I have lying around… But to find something I find worth teaching to the younger generation and letting them learn from my mistakes and experiences would be pretty cool in my book. You’ll never see me running blogging workshops though…
The only picture I took of Nis, as I ran to the bus station…but the city is beautiful, the soccer is great and so are the food and people…
Cousin Josh and I…miss you chief…
We’re heading to Cambodia in a couple days. Thailand has been quite a month. All the blogs coming soon… start placing bets for which month I’ll be done blogging. All the Philadelphia regioners, enjoy the fall for me, please…
