I’ve come to the conclusion that the World Race is one big time warp! I experienced it first at training camp when the first 24 hours felt like a week. Launch was the same.
After only 5 days in Chicago, I felt like I had been gone for weeks. I won’t lie the first few days of launch were tough for me. I was numb for the first 24 hours. I just couldn’t get excited. My mind was still at home. That time felt like a week. At first, I felt like something was wrong. God showed me slowly though that it was ok to feel numb. I needed to process leaving my family, my church, my friends, and my boyfriend. It wasn’t going to be easy to transition from the amazing life I have to the World Race. It was extremely hard. But that was ok. I’m grateful that the World Race is all about community. I’m thankful that I had a group of people rallying around me and telling me it was ok to not be ok. With their help, I started to feel excited! Before I knew it, I was excited to start this journey.
Now that I’ve arrived in Zimbabwe, I’ve also realized that travel days are a time warp too. We left Chicago on Saturday night and arrived today (Wednesday) in Zimbabwe at noon. From Chicago to Zimbabwe, I have been on 4 different planes (including one 15 hour flight), 2 buses (including one 17 hour trip that turned into 23 hours), a taxi, and the back of a truck. I stayed up all night seeing New York City with my squad mates during our layover. It took 5 hours to cross the border of South Africa to Zimbabwe. It’s already been a crazy and amazing adventure.
I’ve only been away from home for a week and yet it feels like a month. Seriously, time warp!! But I love every minute. I love growing closer with my team. I love laughing until my sides hurt with my team. I love learning so much from God in just a week. I love experiencing brand new things and countries with this new family of mine.
Tomorrow is our first day of ministry. This month we are working with an amazing couple. Jenni went on the World Race in 2009 and has already been pouring into us so much. We are going to have a great variety of ministry this month. Tomorrow we will be starting by working with widows and orphans affected by HIV/AIDS. I can’t wait to get started serving.
Thanks for following along and for all the prayers during travel. Continue to pray for my teammates and team ignite as we spend out month in Zimbabwe.
Heart and Soul,
Kristi
