Me and my team spent our first month of the World Race in Independence, Belize!
I had previously heard stories about racers taking bucket showers and sleeping in tents, but we were blessed to have running water, electricity, and a roof over our heads. We slept inside a preschool on our sleeping mats and definitely did not use our sleeping bags because it was HOT and we didn’t have air conditioning the whole month. We only had cold water showers, but it ended up being the most refreshing thing after a long day of sweating!
We painted a preschool inside and out, we taught a class at a Myan village, we spent a lot of time with the people that live there because they all spoke English, and I was able to conquer a few of my fears this month!
Me and my team went to the local high school and we were able to speak in front of 12 different classes with an average of 30 something students per class. I have always wanted to be a public speaker, but I’ve never had the chance to speak in front of anyone (and I’m also a chicken so that’s also why I haven’t). We were there to tell our stories of how we discovered God and why we are on the World Race. When I got up in front of the first class I was shaking, my hands were clammy, and I had the worst cotton mouth I’ve ever had! I felt like I was making no sense and I thought I could faint at any moment, but as we spoke in front of more classes it got much easier for me to be calm from start to finish and not feel like I wanted to jump out the window in fear. I also got to speak at a revival service at church which was CRAZY. If I hadn’t spoken in front of all of those classes earlier that week I’m sure I would’ve gotten up there looking as pale as a ghost with nothing but “get me out of here” written all over my face. But I was able to get up there and tell my story with confidence.
I’ve learned that facing your fears is terrifying, but the more you do it the more you will grow. Now I’m looking forward to having more opportunities to speak in churches or wherever I get the opportunity to this year! If you never get over the initial impact of fear that hits you whenever you do something outside your comfort zone you might miss out on something you could end up loving or being good at.
My encouragement to you is to do something this week that scares you!!!
From my perspective, the first month of my World Race was an easy transition from the US!
