Since coming on the Race, I have compiled a list of things I’m thankful for in each country. Without further ado, here it is!
America: my family, freedom to practice Christianity, running AC/DC in about everywhere one goes, paved roads, fresh fruit and vegetables readily and easily accessible in my local grocery store, changing bedsheets every week, fantastic healthcare
Thailand: night markets EVERYWHERE!, the local Big C just down the road from our hostel, a variety of new foods to try readily accessible, abundant opportunities for adventures, good healthcare
Malaysia: Mark the fruit man in the alley behind our hostel, Jelly Quest the kitten that hung out in front of our hostel every day, PenHOP’s (Penang House of Prayer) worship sessions ranging from five to seven hours, Thanksgiving Racer-style, Ferringi the local Laundromat
India: the cold!! The different ministries we’ve worked with, finally using our sleeping bags and big cabin-grade blankets, the first travel day to India!!
Here’s the thing: we’re moving. Currently, we’re in this tranquil village in northeast India. It’s about 70 degrees in the day, and goes down to 40 at night. It’s a big change from Thailand and Malaysia all right! I didn’t pack for the cold, and with my sensory issues, coupled with possibility of lice and difficulty with drying laundry, I’ve been leery of buying clothing from the roadside stands.
I digress. On the first day, I was settling in, and coming to terms that this is where we’ll be spending three months. That night, the squad leaders tell us that surprise! We’re actually only here for a WEEK. Then we’ll be moving. Now I can’t get mad at them: they were only told that information that morning. About a week later (today), we still don’t know exactly where we’ll be moving too yet.
This – surprises, plans being changed on the dime, events happening earlier or later than one was told – is parcel and package of the Race. And it’s really fostered an attitude of gratitude and acceptance. Time is handled much differently in the countries one goes to on the Race. Here, it’s extremely loose. As my squad leader, Diana, told me, “They control time. They don’t let time control them.” In that way, stuff happens earlier or later than we expect. So I’m getting even MORE prepared to just leave whenever we need to.
As far as acceptance, I’ve always been a go with the flow type of person. At the same time, I’ve had anxiety all my life. With the number of situations that I couldn’t control, but was able to see Abba in, I’ve learned to let go of stress. Mostly. But for an example that I’m extremely proud of, let’s talk about our travel day into India.
It took us two days, three flights, and nine plus hours of layovers, to get into India. In the morning of the second day, I didn’t take my medication. My medication helps control my ADHD; when I don’t take it, my brain doesn’t have a filter for what I should or shouldn’t say, and I’m a bit hyperactive. Cue us walking off the second flight. I wanted to jump around the room and engage everyone in conversation. BUT I was able to tell myself, “Cheyenne, we all just got off the plane. Nobody wants to talk. Calm down.”
And I DID! And I was able to stay calm for the rest of the day, which included long stretches of finding our bags in the carousel, dragging them to get checked out again, and just standing in line to get through security.
I *could not* have done that before the Race – to calm myself down without my medication. In the same vein, I didn’t get anxious *at all* in those two days. There’s one moment that really stood out to me. We were all standing in line to check in our bags and then go through security. As far as we knew, we had about an hour, which was really good because we’re a group of 45 people. Cue one of our squad leaders, Cal, coming in: we need to *pray*. We only have about half an hour before our plane takes off and the line of bag check *and* security were super long.
Things now looked bleak. Before the Race, after hearing that, I would have *freaked. Out.* I would’ve thought we wouldn’t get there, worse censorious running through my head as I frantically calculated if I could make the line move faster. Now? It didn’t even phase me. I just bowed my head and prayed to Abba. And guess what? He answered our prayers.
Soon after that little announcement, the line started speeding up and we were all able to get through security and out the other side. Our gate was right across from security. *And* our flight was delayed, so much so that we had enough time to buy snacks for the flight!
And here’s where the midst of misery starts. At this moment, sickness is getting around *fast*. Zoe is already sick. Today, I wasn’t feeling too good myself. For ministry today, we did a mini Bible lesson for kids. Our squad split into three groups, with each assigned a different task: songs, games, and lesson/skit. My team and team Ahava were on songs. After we were done, it was time for lunch. I went, but I wasn’t hungry. My stomach started to hurt walking back to our hostel, and it’s still hurting even now.
I’m not coughing or sneezing or anything like that, but it’s not a good sign. God willing, I don’t get sick. I’ve had a sick quota for several years now of getting sick once a year, and I used it up in February.
It isn’t fun. I’m afraid of getting sick and I haven’t anything since breakfast. But I can still pray.
So! In conclusion: being on the Race always helps one develop an attitude of gratitude and acceptance of things to come. Information is put forth or changed on a dime in the Race; it’s that way in the real world too.
It’s unfortunately super easy to get sick in a squad of 45+ people who’re constantly around each other. Even so, Abba’s in control of everything.
Please pray for Zoe and the rest of the squad, that she and any others may be healed in time for when we leave for the next place in India. Pray for Claire and Rosie, as the enemy is working against both of them again.
Cold hands but warm heart in Abba,
Cheyenne
