100 Days

Today marks the 100th day of my Race. To commemorate, our squad put together a list of 100 things we have learned along the way. I don’t necessarily agree with all of them, but hey, I’m taking the lazy route and using it as a blog. Afterall, I quit my job and left the country for 11 months to remain stagnant and unchallenged, right?

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1. I can choose to be content no matter where I am.
2. Exercising daily is not only good for your body, but good for your mind and soul.
3. There might not be a perfect time to start. So start now. 
4. Denying yourself and loving yourself are not in conflict with each other. 
5. There is room for seriousness and laughter. 
6. If the bus drives past your stop before you can get off, try hitting the roof.
7. Giving up coffee won’t kill you. 
8. There’s a better story to tap into if you’re willing to take some risk and ask for it.  
9. Food is a universal love language.
10. WhatsApp is for all the cool kids.
11. There is a BIG difference between “peace keeper” and “peace maker”.
12. Strangers don’t have to be strangers. 
13. It’s okay to cry. 
14. Beans are cheap, but don’t eat too many.
15. Take time to really enjoy the scenery, because it’s not every day that you see volcanoes.
16. Take adventurous trips that you normally wouldn’t.
17. Your team becomes your family.
18. It’s okay to say no.
19. Laughter will keep you sane.
20. It’s okay to not be okay.
21. God will meet your desires in the most personal ways. He knows you. He likes you. He provides for you.
22. Saying the hard thing that’s true is far more life-giving than any other option you can come up with.
23. If you haven’t had diarrhea by Day 100, you’re probably not being risky enough.
24. Experiencing FOMO: the Fear Of Missing Out.
25. Experiencing JOMO: the Joy Of Missing Out.
26. Deciphering which clothes are “clean, kinda dirty” (can be worn again), and “really dirty” (need to be put into laundry bag STAT).
27. Be flexible and interruptible because ministry could happen at any moment.
28. Make sure you don’t have a hole in your puke bag before using it.
29. There’s a difference between being “in need” and being “needy”.
30. Bug spray is everyday perfume.
31. You can find hot showers in other countries.
32. Any solid piece of ground can become a dance floor.
33. When in doubt, eat ice cream for dinner.
34. There’s always space for grace.
35. You will crave peanut butter.
36. Sweating during a cold shower is actually a thing.
37. You learn to love hot tea.
38. The game Four Corners will ALWAYS be a hit.
39. You don’t have to binge eat Snickers because they have them in every country.
40. Bringing your large pack on the metro during rush hour is not exactly a good idea.
41. Bread is EXTREMELY IMPORTANT in Chile.
42. It’s sometimes okay to pet a stray dog, but it’s never okay to get rabies.
43. Microwave popcorn is a suitable birthday gift.
44. Life shouldn’t be lived like you’re running on a treadmill.
45. People in New Zealand eat white bread with butter and sprinkles and call it “fairy bread”.
46. 100% DEET works beautifully as nail polish remover.
47. It’s really, really important to make sure your clothes are dry before packing them in order to prevent the most horrific smells on the planet.
48. The body of Christ is huge, vibrant, generous, and growing, and for one of the first times in my life, I’m really proud to be associated with not only Jesus, but also with His church.
49. Long-term commitment isn’t so bad.
50. Feelers and Thinkers can work together beautifully, if each is willing to hear the other out.
51. There’s a time to make your voice heard, and there’s a time to keep silent and suck it up.
52. I LOVE POPTARTS. And I actually do like America and Americans.
53. Journaling is cool.
54. God is love, but that love looks different from what I expect.
55. The Race is just a tool to be used for the rest of your life.
56. Community is hard but awesome.
57. God’s plans for our lives are bigger and better than we could have ever imagined.
58. Top Gun is a really good movie.
59. Faith brings joy no matter the situation. Let go and trust God.
60. Language barriers don’t stop communication, especially of the Spirit.
61. When you are intimate with God, you will never be intimidated by man.
62. Your strength really doesn’t come from you; it’s God’s strength in you.
63. Every person on your team has incredible gifts from God that are valuable.
64. The Caribbean is really cool.
65. Fire coral hurts.
66. Sometimes you have to laugh at the struggle.
67. A shower is a luxury in Honduras.
68. Not knowing where you’re going to sleep at night can show you just how big God is.
69. Happiness is finding a laundry mat.
70. Seeing other people wear your clothes is the saddest thing in the whole world.
71. Don’t lose your Bible in Month One. You’ll need it.
72. Hurry up and wait.
73. Get used to being ogled at.
74. Sometimes the hard stuff is the good stuff.
75. Bus rides are the actual worst.
76. Bus rides are the actual best.
77. Sleep is important.
78. Protein is more important.
79. Chile is, indeed, chilly.
80. Sometimes the best thing to say is nothing at all.
81. Dancing is viewed as scandalous for Christians in some countries, but it’s a requirement in others.
82. Music is a must.
83. Washing clothes by hand is possible.
84. A bottle is an acceptable toilet on a bus ride.
85. To be happy or sad in each moment is your choice.
86. Sometimes the best friends are forced friends.
87. Nothing like community living to expose your flaws.
88. Feedback sucks. Or you might be doing it wrong.
89. People who say they’re not afraid of anything are actually afraid of being afraid.
90. Choose to say yes.
91. Stress is a choice.
92. Tattoos hurt. I don’t understand why people want to get a lot of them.
93. Flushing toilet paper is a privilege.
94. Empanadas = Life.
95. Chiky Chip Cookies = Life.
96. God always provides.
97. Humility is essential to be influential.
98. Things are never as glamorous as they seem.
99. Get used to drinking out of small, plastic bags.
100. Keep learning.