My journey has officially come to a close. We fly home TODAY and my feet will be on American soil tomorrow! My emotions are all over the place. I’m SO excited to get home and see my mom and sister, my doggy, friends, and church family but at the same time, I’m grieving having to leave the 49 other people who have become family and have provided an incredible community for me this year.
Over this year, I’ve been to 18 countries. I’ve seen the world, I’ve seen the Lord move in ways I’ve never experienced, and I have lots of stories to tell. I’ve seen Jesus change lives in front of my eyes. I’ve seen people walk into the freedom He has for each one of us. I lived in and experienced cultures that are nothing like America, I ate some of the most amazing food (gained a few pounds because of it but whatever ha), I met people that have changed my life and will forever have a piece of my heart. I got to see how the church functions overseas. My perspective on A WHOLE LOT of things has broadened and even changed in many ways. I’ve experienced hurt, I’ve celebrated victories. I’ve loved more than I knew I ever could. I’ve also been loved more than I thought I ever could. I myself have walked into freedom. I’ve found my identity and now know the truth about where my identity really lies. Not in this world but in sweet Jesus. I’ve gained a whole new sense of boldenss and am not afraid to tell people about Jesus.. their souls count on it. I will never be the same person after this year. As tough as moments of this year were physically, mentally, and spiritually, this won’t be the hardest year of my life nor will it be the best year of my life. This is just the beginning of what’s to come and embracing the fullness of life that Jesus has for me.
Reentry is going to be a whole new experience and adventure for myself and squadmates to figure out! We know that the Lord is faithful and he’s been right by our side guiding us this whole year so why the heck would he not in this next season?? With that being said, I wanted to write this blog to maybe suggest ways that all of you who I know love me and who I love as well can help me reenter America well.
Here’s questions that maybe you could ask me that are more direct. I want to tell you all about EVERYTHING but that’s going to take time. I know y’all want to know all the details and I definitely want to give those to y’all but it’s going to be overwhelming for me at times so please have patience with me!
A few questions to avoid best you can:
1. How was your year?
2. How was your experience on the World Race?
Obviously, ALOT has happened for me, so it would be like me asking you how your entire 2017 was.. difficult, right? Please try to avoid these questions because I will have no clue how to answer and as much as I want to share everything, it’s just not going to be possible in one conversation…unless you have like an entire day free, then we can sit and chat all day long =)
Here are some great questions that you CAN ask that will help guide the conversation a little easier:
General
What did you learn about being a follower?
What were some of your favorite moments with your three teams? (Ahava Chara, R1:16 & Giraffes)
What places & moments broke your heart?
What places & moments made you come alive?
What was your longest travel day?
What was one of the biggest lessons the Lord taught you this year?
How did you grow in freedom?
What other countries did you get to go to that were not on your route??
What were some of your best living conditions? Your worst?
Which ministries were most challenging for you? Which did you enjoy the most?
What passions did the Lord grow in you over this year?
What were some adventure activities you got to do?
What were the weirdest things you ate?
What was your favorite country & why?
What was your main means of transportation every month?
What was it like to live out of a backpack & in such tight quarters all year?
Which place was hardest to say goodbye to?
Choose one of the 11 countries that intrigues you and ask me about our time there. 🙂
(India, Nepal, Vietnam, Cambodia, Thailand, Albania, Greece, Bulgaria, Zimbabwe, Swaziland, South Africa)
Ask me about a ministry that intrigues you. (Refer to recap of the year blog for details on each ministry.. it”s being worked on and will be posted really soon!)
Asia
What did you do on your layover in Malaysia?
What was the traditional food like?
What was the weirdest thing you saw people or yourself eat?
What was public transportation like?
What was it like being a christian in Vietnam since it’s a closed country?
What was the weirdest thing you saw being carried on a motorbike?
How was celebrating your birthday on the race?
Europe
What did you do during your layover in Rome?
What was the transition like going from Asia to Eastern Europe?
What were your expectations of Eastern Europe? What was the reality?
What was your ATL (Ask the Lord) month in Greece like?
Who is Eleonora?
What was the food like in each country?
Africa
What did you do on your layover in Qatar?
In what ways did Africa surprise you?
What did you do when you visited Victoria Falls?
What was hardest about being a woman in Zimbabwe?
How did Zimbabwe, Swaziland and South Africa differ?
How did you make coffee in Binga, Zimbabwe?
What wildlife did you see?
Who are Kulile and Koskona?
How is South Africa so similar to America?
DISCLAIMER: I am just as interested in your lives! I want to hear the funny stories, the amazing unexpected things the Lord did, the challenges, the victories, etc. Life in America may seem very routine and mundane, but there are a lot of times that I have missed the routine while being gone. I want to know what your last purchase at Target was, your new favorite restaurant & what the best sermon you’ve heard lately is. Your year was just as significant as my year so please share with me as well. 🙂
The following link is to a past racers blog that is very well written about introverted racers reentering. It’s pretty raw and to the point and provides some do’s and don’t’s. PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE, take another moment and go read it!
I can’t believe how fast this year went! I love you all SO dearly!! Thank you for partnering with me this year in the incredible journey the Lord took US on! See y’all in a few days!
-Leah
(Shoutout to Keeley and AB for giving me inspiration for this blog =D )
