100 things I’ve learned from the race
On my 100th day of the race… I was challenged to list 100 things I’ve learned… Here goes! Some are silly and some are genuine, and there’s not really a rhyme or reason to the order. Find one that speaks to you. Surely out of 100… 🙂
1. Don’t assume restrooms have free toilet paper anywhere but America.
2. Chacos are the greatest shoes in the universe. Hands down.
3. Coke and snickers are universal.
4. Smiles are also universal.
5. Asian kids are the cutest of all small children.
6. Feedback is essential for life, and I’m not sure how I ever lived before it.
7. Thai pants are way more awesome than jeans.
8. America seriously needs to know about rotee.
9. Teaching English is an awesome way to share the gospel and change lives.
10. I love pretty much all food.
11. Khmer food is my favorite.
12. Asia is ridiculously diverse in land, food, and customs.
13. Rice.
14. Chinese people love Americans.
15. In some parts of the world, they’ve never seen white people.
16. When you’re the first white person someone had ever seen, people stare at you a lot and sometimes you scare small children. And make babies cry.
17. In china teachers are paid extremely well. And it’s a highly valued profession in most of Asia.
18. If you tell someone you’re a teacher they will immediately show you respect.
19. I love flying.
20. The fact that I used to think 2 hour drives were long seems ridiculous.
21. Journaling your prayers is a cool way to grow closer to God. Plus you can go back and read them!
22. Twenty two is still my favorite number on the other side of the world.
23. Television is overrated.
24. I’m incapable of doing the “Asian squat” (google it if you’re confused).
25. If you listen, God will always be ready to speak to you.
26. Absence makes the heart grow fonder.
27. Tarantulas taste strangely similar to chicken liver.
28. Never make plans on the world race.
29. Thailand mud makes great playdoh.
30. There’s hope even in the darkest situations.
31. Spiritual warfare is for real!
32. God is blessing me with lots of new spiritual gifts.
33. Psalms never get old.
34. There’s beauty in brokenness.
35. Saying “hello” to someone can literally make their day.
36. God will equip you for what he has called you to do.
37. Love is a Christians greatest weapon against the enemy.
38. Miracles are still happening.
39. God has a sense of humor.
40. The middle of Gods will is the most enjoyable place in the world.
41. Bucket showers are only fun and exciting the first time.
42. Sometimes it’s best to not even ask what you’re eating.
43. No meat is wasted in Asia.
44. Gods plan for your life is not boring.
45. Riding water buffalo is slightly terrifying.
46. Yes, in Cambodia everyone really does have a water buffalo.
47. Celebrating American holidays is the best English lesson ever.
48. You can literally make up a kids song for anything.
49. God actually does give you the desires of your heart.
50. Mosquito nets could more accurately be described as lizard nets.
51. If you have to cross the street in Asia… Good luck.
52. The night sky in Cambodia is breathtaking.
53. Eating meals together makes the biggest difference in team/family dynamics.
54. God is speaking through everything.
55. When the subway doors are about to close, hold on tight to your iPhones 🙂 (Ask Cabe).
56. Asia doesn’t believe in cheese.
57. “Spicy” in Thailand means something completely different than in the rest of the world.
58. Dryers only exist in America and washing machines are few and far between.
59. Mildew is an acquired smell.
60. Instant coffee is sent straight from heaven.
61. My standard for “clean” has drastically changed.
62. I hate McDonald’s in America… Everywhere else I’m like, “WOOOO!!! MCDONALDS!” Japan is the best FYI.
63. McDonald’s meat is identical everywhere in the world. Which should scare you…
64. Worship can mean so many different things.
65. Happiness is a choice.
66. Love is a choice.
67. God created the most beautiful, intricate, and ornate temples when he created each one of us.
68. I prefer lizards to cockroaches.
69. Most of what I’ve seen of Eastern Europe is very sexist.
70. Out of all the weird accents we’ve heard this year, the white South African accent is the hardest to understand.
71. Even missionaries struggle to keep a regular devo time.
72. My team seems to have a habit of going places and then having a water outage for the city.
73. I can’t imagine this race without my teammates!
74. God is always speaking, we’re just not always listening.
75. You English skill go bad when leave country for year.
76. Japan has the greatest hospitality of anywhere in the entire world.
77. In South Africa, most people eat peanut butter and butter (margarine) sandwiches instead of pb&j.
78. Peanut butter and margarine sandwiches are actually pretty good.
79. Kids in Swaziland eat the bones inside the chicken!
80. Girls all over the world love their nails painted.
81. Japanese people age really well.
82. Always be ready to love.
83. You can’t pour out to other people if you’re not filled up yourself!
84. I really really really love alone time!
85. Living in community is cool.
86. Always seek growth. Seek growth from God. Seek growth from those who know you.
87. Always be ready to make a friend.
88. Hospitality is a great witnessing tool.
89. Jesus really does love all the little children.
90. You can do work for the kingdom anywhere.
91. Nalgenes are lifesavers.
92. Free, drinkable water is hard to find.
93. Pray big things.
94. If your prayer isn’t too big for humans, it’s not big enough.
95. There’s always hope.
96. God is God of everywhere.
97. Monkeys are to port saint johns South Africa as squirrels are to Barbourville ky.
98. Asia is my favorite place. I can’t pick a specific area but all of it rocks.
99. There’s no greater feeling than holding on to little hands and telling them how much Jesus loves them.
100. Pure and genuine religion in the sight of God the Father means caring for orphans and widows in their distress and refusing to let the world corrupt you. James 1:27 NLT
