It’s crazy to think that I’m more than halfway through the race at this point. I wanted to share a few things I wish I would have known before the race, and just a few fun things I’ve learned along the way.
PERSONAL MONEY: You will probably need some for travel days. We get $5 for three meals and sometimes that’s not enough, especially in an airport. A lot of people budget $100 per month and that seems to work but I also suggest having some extra money in your account for unexpected necessary purchases. For example, month one in Nepal all of the women had to have traditional clothing made for ministry. The average cost was $20. I also had to replace my sandals in Thailand month three and that cost me around $25. Also, had to replace my Nalgene last month for $18 when it got stolen off the beach. It was a sad day. So it’s good to have some extra money available.
I’M ABOUT TO TALK ABOUT BRAS, GENTLEMEN BE WARNED AND FEEL FREE TO SKIP THIS PARAGRAPH: Attn busty ladies, bring whatever bras you would be comfortable in at home. A lot of women on our squad wear sports bras almost every day but I hate them so I wear “regular” bras most of the time. I do recommend bringing one sports bra that is supportive and you actually kind of like (i.e. no uniboob haha). I really hate mine but two of my teammates who are also well-endowed highly recommend the brand called “Moving Comfort.” If you have to replace bras along the way you will be lucky to find above a C cup in Asia but I did find one that fit me in Cambodia (the only one in the store lol). Africa so far has been good for finding bras up to DD cups and bigger clothing that’s actually pretty cute up to what I think would be a size 24 in the U.S.
WARDROBE: You’re going to get tired of wearing the same clothes all the time. I have spoken the words, “Gettin’ real tired of this maxi skirt,” on more than a few incidents. I brought a really cute red dress on the race but I wore it so much the first two months that I got rid of it at the end of month three. It’s fun to trade clothes with people along the way and get new-to-you clothing. If you have something that you’re kind of tired of, but want to keep in the long run, here are a couple ideas. You can put it away somewhere and not wear it for an entire month. I did that with a dress at the beginning of last month and I was excited to wear it again at the end. You could also find a friend to trade items with for a month.
HANDWASHINGis not as difficult or time-consuming as you may think. Just make sure you get the armpits of your shirts haha. You’ll get the hand of it.
BIBLE: Bring a bible that you actually like. I brought one that was a gift and it’s a translation that I don’t prefer. I have tried to make myself like it but I just don’t and I end up using the Bible app on my phone most of the time. If you’re gonna lug it around make sure it’s a translation you actually want to read.
BRING SOME TEA TREE OIL BECAUSE YOU DON’T WANT TO GET LICE! Half of our squad had lice at one point but I haven’t gotten it yet and I swear by the tea tree. Some people rub it into their scalps when their hair is dry. I like to mix it in with my shampoo. I don’t use it every day, only when we know there is lice around.
SARONGS: I am so thankful that I brought mine. I have used it as a blanket, a towel, a curtain, a long skirt, a short skirt, and I haven’t done it yet but its possible to wear it as a scarf. You should bring a sarong. Even if you’re a man think about bringing one, a couple guys on our squad have them and use them.
Another item I’m really glad I brought is my kindle.
And if you have room for aloe or after sun lotion, bring it.
TEAM/SQUAD ACTIVITIES: If you and your team have trouble staying adequately hydrated, try playing drinking games with water! I’m serious. We have actually done this a few times on our team and it’s really fun. Plus, if you do it near bedtime it actually gives you incentive to not drink because you’ll have to get up and pee in the middle of the night, which can be a real hassle sometimes depending on your living situation.
Think twice before you go to Angkor Wat to see the sunrise. Our whole squad went at 4 am and a few people enjoyed it but a lot of us were just real tired the whole time. And I was not that impressed with the sunrise.
Finally, trust in God’s purpose for you always. There have been multiple times when I have thought, “What the heck am I doing here?” I thought we were gonna be doing a lot more ministry, I thought I was going to use a lot more of my ministry skills, etc. I have learned to trust that God has purpose in me being where I am at all times, even when I don’t see or understand it.
Thanks for reading and if you’re a future racer, good luck with packing and have fun! love, LeAnn
