The World Race definitely has a culture that is all its own. Many racers realize somewhere along the way that things that once would have seemed abnormal are now part of everyday life, and they take a second to stop and laugh about the crazy that has become normal. "You Know You're on the World Race When…" is a popular blogging topic among the community. Within this culture lies a subculture of racers that are prepping to leave, emotionally, physically, and spiritually. And that, too, is very unique.
I have compiled a list of
"You Know You Are Leaving for the World Race in 3 Months When…"
- You are hesitant to get into a new TV show because you know you have just enough time to really get into it, and then you will be leaving it.
- You realize that you should really buy some new shoes, because the ones you have currently have holes, or the soles are separating from the shoe. But, you just can't bring yourself to buy another pair because you can probably squeeze about 3 more months out of them. Just hope your boss doesn't look down at the sad state of your shoes.
- If you do justify replacing new clothes or shoes, your deciding factors on whether to buy them are, a) will this be functional for the Race, and b) how small can this pack? You get funny looks at the store when you are trying to roll up a pair of jeans as tight as they will go, make some kind of sound of affirmation, and unroll them.
- Your time on the internet is filled with reading blog after blog, watching video after video, researching countries, ministries, and gear.
- In prepping for not being able to/not caring about showering as much, you are slowly extending the time between showering. You can't remember when the last time you washed your hair. You try really, really hard to remember, but can't remember if it was 3 or 4 days.
- You find yourself thinking of all the things you will miss while gone, like Christmas with your family, but then think about the new family you will be spending it with, and the richness of simplicity.
- You have/plan to sleep in your tent rather than your bed because you can.
- The thought of choosing which couple of books to take is too hard, so you decide to cross that bridge later.
- Some days, "fundraising" is a swear.
- Other days, it is exciting and a piece of cake.
- You think about the Race about 2,476 times a day.
- Sometimes, when you are laying in your bed at night, you close your eyes, and pretend like you have a mosquito net above you, and an African night sky outside your window.
- You already have new tattoos/piercings planned.
- You have to constantly tell people that yes, you are quitting your job, yes, you gave away your stuff, no, you will not be getting paid for it, no, you will not end up on the show Locked Up Abroad, and yes, you volunteered for it.
- You instantly have 70ish new bffs/family members, even though you have not met them in real life.
- You can't believe that God is letting you, no, wants you, to be a part of His work in these countries.
- You are SO ready to love on orphans, restore dignity to those in poverty, show the girl in the bar that she is worth more, get rid of all of the junk that you put in between you and Jesus…
- The thought of beginning the journey of fulfilling your life's calling in a few months is like putting that last puzzle piece in-you feel like you will be complete in your identity. The thought of this makes your heart want to explode out of your chest.
3 months and some days…can't wait!
