you asked the questions! here are the answers!! (some of you asked very similar questions so they might be worded differently)
Q: What new foods did you get to taste?
A: Oh so many, my least favorite foods were in the Philippines, least favorite of the least favorite is balut. Balut is cooked duck embryo… just don’t try it. However my favorite foods were mostly Caribbean food, lots of avocados and plantains… yum! My favorite of favorites is ironically from the Philippines too, its called touron, it is basically a banana rapped in this really thin dough and fried with a whole bunch of sugar. SUPER YUM! Spent a solid amount of pesos on those. OH AND Pan de sal from the Philippines is this breakfast roll that is SOOO good too!
Q: What traditions did you learn & will you use any of them moving forth?
A: I learned a whole lot, mostly in Africa, Africa is very big on following traditions and being “in tune” with your ancestors.
Q: Would you do it all again?
A: YES! I would do it 10 more times if I could but that’s just not realistic. I highly recommend it to anyone and everyone!
Q: Is it going to be hard to leave or are you anxious to start your next adventure?
A: A bit of both, it is with out a doubt hard to leave such a sweet season of life. Although I am really pumped to take what I have learned into my next adventure of… wait for it… school! Not as fun and adventurous but I am excited about it! I also am praying about maybe going back to Haiti and South Africa sometime within my future, maybe the Philippines… who knows!
Q: What was your favorite country?
A: That is a toss up between South Africa and Haiti.
Q: What are you most looking forward to doing when you get home?
A: Seeing my pup Clara, family and learning to live missionally at home!
Q: Are you excited to sleep in your own bed?
A: OH YOU BETCHYA
Q: Which month of the race is the hardest?
A: Probably month 3 in Botswana, my team and I got robbed that month and had to relocate ministry sites. It was a lot of change and we had just started to build relationships at the ministry site we had to leave. I experienced a lot of spiritual warfare month 3 but also grew A TON.
Q: When does the “honeymoon” phase start to wear off?
A: I think it is different for each person and each team individually but for my team specifically I would also say month 3. We were living as just our team that month and that’s when it really started to kick in that this was our “normal” life now living together in community ALL the time.
Q: What one place would you go back to visit?
A: Haiti and South Africa for sure! Potentially the Philippines, really wherever Jesus wants me!
Q: Who was the most memorable person you met and why?
A: Honestly there is at least one person in each country I will remember forever. But if I had to pick one it would be Ounah, ah sweet sweet Ounah. She was the security guard at our first ministry site in Botswana. Our ministry there was to coach, tutor and disciple the kids. Ounah wasn’t technically a part of our assigned ministry but she was so kind and I just had to be friends with her. She very quickly warmed up to me and told me about herself. We started talking about faith and Jesus and what that all is and even means. She really started to open up to me and was just longing for love from our Papa. Ounah accepted Christ in her life about a week later. I ended up getting to disciple her for our 2 months of being in Botswana, and still keep in touch through facebook messenger. I am honored and proud to say I have a sweet friend and sister in Botswana.
Q: How has this trip changed you?
A: Oh boy. This trip hasn’t really changed me but Jesus has changed me through this trip. I can genuinely say Jesus is my best friend. I used to be more of a church going christian and not at all a Christ seeking christian. I was very religious, going to church, praying, but thats it. I didn’t seek anything deeper. I didn’t really think anything of it either. But now, I have a relationship with Jesus that I long for. I am confident in salvation. I am confident in who I am as a daughter of the King of kings. I am deeply and madly in love with Jesus and wouldn’t have it any other way!
Q: Any regrets?
A: Yes and no. Time is something we can’t go back on and change. I don’t want to look back and wish I did something or focus on what I did wrong. However, I do have a lot that I have learned and will take with me to do better in the future. I will be more intentional with those around me in the future. I will also try harder to learn the language of wherever I am.
