I missed the “I’ve been on the Race for 100 days” mark, so I decided to make being on the Race for 111 days a big deal and share with you 11 things that I’ve learned so far on this journey…
1. Being on the World Race does not mean that every day is crazy awesome and full of fun adventures, but it can be if you make it that way. Don’t spend so much time waiting for the big moments that you miss out on the small moments. The what seem like small moments are just as important as the big ones. But with that being said…
2. Some days are crazy awesome and full of fun adventures – soak those moments up! Don’t miss them.
3. The fact that I wear the same 5 outfits over and over, I wear the same shoes day after day, and can count on one hand the amount of times I’ve worn make up in the last 111 days, is totally okay. It’s a simple way of living and it is beautiful. Turns out I need a lot less than I think I do.
4. Physical touch is a thing. Whether you are a physical touch person or not, the Race brings it out in you. Whether it’s through hugs, cuddle sessions, or cramming 8 people plus our packs, which is basically like 8 more people into a 5 passenger vehicle, you can say goodbye to your personal space.
5. Where there is WiFi, there is a mob of Racers to crash the WiFi.
6. Being surrounded by a community of people who care for you, love you constantly, make you laugh, build you up, who are always pushing you towards Christ, and who are there for you whatever the circumstance, even when it’s hard, is irreplaceable. There is truly nothing like it. I am thankful every day for the people I get to walk with day in and day out.
7. I have mastered the art of bucket showering. Turns out, bucket showers are quite enjoyable. I just might bring it back to the states.
8. Sometimes what you might be doing may not feel very important or significant. There have been so many days this Race where I have wondered and questioned if what we were doing really mattered, if we were really helping or making a difference. But it does. We show the love of Christ not only through our words, but through our actions too. Sometimes being the hands and feet of Jesus looks like going up and down the stairs carrying bucket after bucket of cement and shoveling dirt. Sometimes it looks like going door to door, sitting with, talking to, and praying for people. And sometimes it looks like holding a little one as they take a nap in your arms.
9. Just because I’m on a mission trip doesn’t mean I’m on a Jesus high 24/7, my relationship with the Lord is perfect, and I always feel close to Him. Because that would be a big fat lie. The truth is it’s a choice. I (we) have to choose to fight for my relationship with the Lord every day, multiple times a day. Daily I have to choose Him.
10. Expect the unexpected. Chances are your day isn’t going to go as planned. If you go into the day expecting the unexpected, you won’t be thrown off when plans do change. Plans will change, your days will take a turn for the better and sometimes the worst. Mama Gracie said it best – “Being a Christian is life interrupted.” It’s up to you to choose how you will react. Just flex n’ flow!
11. Keep saying yes, even when it’s uncomfortable, nerve racking, or doesn’t make sense. Trust Jesus enough to say yes.
I’m 111 days into this crazy trip and sometimes I still can’t believe I’m doing this, that this is my life. The Lord is constantly showing Himself to me in new ways and teaching me more about what it means to follow Him, what it means to be more like Jesus, and what living in real and raw community looks like. Thanks for letting me share some of those tidbits with you, both the serious and not so serious. And as always, THANK YOU for all the support that continues to be poured out to me. Thank you for loving me so well!
Much love from Guatemala,
Kaci
