A lot of talk happened before the World Race. Some of it was weird expectations, some of it was just false. Basically, everything we thought about the World Race was way off from what it has been. I realized that my friends & family back in the States probably still believe many of the things I thought pre-Race. So let me take this opportunity to dispel those rumors and myths.
Myth #1: We’ll be living in our tent most of the time.
Fact: Some people on my squad have spent three separate months in their tents. I haven’t opened mine since training camp. But I did use the footprint as a stargazing/picnic blanket a few times.
Myth #2: We’re completely out of touch with pop culture, and haven’t seen any recent movies or TV shows.
Fact: Whatever we couldn’t wait to see, we either watched on a tiny airplane screen or bought a copy for about 50 cents in a street market while it was still in theaters. Long travel days were perfect for movies & TV shows.
Myth #3: I haven’t had a hot shower since leaving the States.
Fact: I’ve had at least 2 dozen hot showers this year. Lots of them were in Africa.
Myth #4: I’ve had nothing but miserable instant coffee all year.
Fact: coffee shops are everywhere, praise the Lord. But when we were far from big cities… NesCafe did grow on me.
Myth #5: All of those World Race “catch phrases” and “Kingdom talk” we heard at training camp probably won’t ever become part of my vocabulary.
Fact: “Kingdom”, “inheritance”, “healing”, “getting a word from the Lord”, “prophecy” and even “fire tunnel” all come out of my mouth without a second thought. All the time. And I’m ok with it.
Myth #6: I’ve become extremely travel-savvy and breeze through airports and train stations anywhere.
Fact: Community means you don’t have to worry about whether your stuff is in that big pile of bags at the gate. Somebody’s got your back. I’m really not sure how my bag ever got from any airport to whatever hostel we were staying at in the countries we flew to. Irresponsible or trusting?
Myth #7: All of our clothes are now old, worn, stretched, dirty, cheap, torn, and smelly.
Fact: some of my clothes are clean.
I’m sure my teammates could add a few things to this list (which I hope they do.) The simple truth in all of this is that all of our expectations were shattered. Not even those grueling 8 days of training camp could have prepared us for what we’ve experienced this year. But AIM staff did tell us to let go of our expectations. They did tell us to be prepared for anything, joyful or challenging.
And honestly, I’m glad they didn’t give us many specifics. I’m sure it is harder for the more organized people who do the Race, but we never had the illusion that everything was planned out. And that’s not chaotic or irresponsible–it’s honest.
Sometimes solid plans give you the false notion that everything is under your control. Yes, you have choices. Yes, your decisions matter. But if you find your confidence and peace in your own plans, you may miss out on something bigger, something beyond what you can anticipate.
Something unexpected.
“Many are the plans in a human heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails.” – Proverbs 19:21
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Sometimes things DO go just as you plan… but that has been the case so seldom this year, that we can hardly believe it when things go well. Case in point: our Romanian 4th of July celebration!
We ate watermelon!
We grilled meat!
We made t-shirts!
We even had sparklers. And nothing says “Go America!” like the risk of minor burns.
-Katie
