Q & A

I'm always getting lots of questions about our experience, so here are some answers! We are in Rwanda now, I wrote this blog as we traveled from Asia to Africa, but this is the first internet we've had in a week. This month is looking like it will be a doozy…

Q: Worst smell.
A: The rest of the world burns their garbage just in the street. It has a really distinct smell….Gross. Also, the raw meat left sitting out in the open markets.
 
Q: Most memorable person.
A: Sritan, my little 8 yr old girl from the orphanage in Cambodia. I know part of this trip is learning how to say goodbye at the end of every month. But I think about this little girl everyday and I miss her smile so much.

Oh, can I have two answers for this question?….My other memorable person is my Thai mom Malee. She was crazy and high strung in the best possible way. I miss her taking care of me, making me wear funny things, and bossing me around.
 
Q: Biggest surprise
A: I’m surprised by how much of our ministry has become each other, with in the team. You can’t group together 6 people from all different places, backgrounds, and ages and then just expect things to be perfect. It’s a challenge to everyone to see how easy it is to love a homeless person or orphan, but how difficult it can be to love your own brother/sister/teammate. And when I say love I don’t mean just ‘put up with’, there is none of that after living in the same space with someone for 6 months..you really have to choose to be loving and preferring of your teammates in some really tough times.
 
Q: Grossest thing you ate
A: tarantula and bugs
 

Q: Thing you are most glad you packed
A: my baby blankies, they know just what to do when I’m having a hard day..cuddle!
 
Q: How have I changed?
A: I’ve gotten way better at sharing both things and feelings.
 
Abandonment of My plans, My desires, whether short term for another person, or long term for the sake of His Kingdom.
 
Normally I’m pretty Type-A when it comes to plans and punctuality; that personality trait cannot even remotely survive in the World Race atmosphere. Nothing ever goes as planned, and you will always be waiting for someone.
 
Q: How do you pack for a year?
A: Its not like I had to pack enough toiletries for a year or anything, on travel days we usually end up in a city where you can buy most things you need. Other than that, sleeping bag, sleeping pad, tent, clothes, computer…check! There certainly isn’t any outfit planning or accessorizing, but it all fits into my 70L pack! At the end I’ll dump all my nasty clothes and make space for India souvenirs. I am usually carrying around 65+lbs of stuff in my packs on travel days.
 
Q: Where do you sleep?
A: Any and everywhere, ranging from tents to hotels to hammock to the floor of bus stations. This upcoming WEEK I will sleep in 4 different countries: Malaysia, Qatar (layover), Uganda (debrief), and Rwanda. This is my current sleeping situation in Qatar as I write this blog:

 
Q: What do you miss most about home? (besides people!)
A: Air conditioning!!!!! Thankfully we are heading to Africa where it’s nice and cool for winter. It’s been SO hot and humid everywhere we go. Andrea and I used to walk a half-mile to the 7-11 and sit on the floor in the back of the store drinking slurppies just to cool off! And then of course things like hot showers, a clean bed, personal space, I  really miss sandwiches…I rarely get a good sandwich now-a-days! Fortunately the whole world loves icecream, so I haven’t been missing out there J
 
Q: Thing you think you’ll miss most once you’re home?
A: Living in a community of Christians who are constantly searching for opportunities to grow in character.  And being smiled and waved at everywhere we go! People are so friendly to us all around the world.

Q: What are you doing after the Race?