What Living In Asia For 5 Months Taught Me

As my time in Asia comes to a close (we start traveling in 3 hours to Africa!) I felt the need to reflect on all the things I have learned these past 5 months.  There are countless experiences and lessons, but these are my top 100 (at least today’s top 100).

Here’s a little glimpse into the World Race, Asian style.

 

1. Indian bus rides are anxiety-inducing fun-suckers and I will forever have PTSD from the experience. Peep Live Boldly’s first team blog.
2. Making jokes out of hardships and trials is 100% necessary after said bus rides.
3. No one will make you feel as welcomed as an Indian family in a village.
4. Electricity, though not a necessity, is the biggest of blessings.
5. Water buffalo bladder looks surprisingly similar to tongue.
6. The Lord wants to speak to you so much- you just have to listen.
7. I hear God clearly.
8. Nothing quite beats deep talks in a hammock while watching the sunset.
9. Rooftops are the best.
10. Random dance parties are a must.
11. 9 girls can live in one bedroom.
12. Running water. See point #4.
13. Authentic Indian food is as spicy as people make it out to be. You’ve been warned.
14. There’s no such thing as too much rice.
15. God blesses us with community.
16. It’s okay to need people. God wants us in community because He is in community.
17. Friends and family really aren’t that different. They can love you in the same ways.
18. I have the world’s best family. This is a fact and I don’t care if you have another opinion.
19. Indian kids will steal your heart and never give it back.
20. Chibati is life.
21. You can fit fifteen people in one Tuk Tuk if you try hard enough.
22. Same goes for mudding in a Tuk Tuk.
23. Southeast Asia has ruined my perception of hot. 75 degrees is officially chilly.
24. Squatty’s really aren’t that bad.
25. But you should carry toilet paper everywhere.
26. Imodium. Praise God from whom all blessings flow.
27. Tampons are gold.
28. “English is food.” I will never forget when my Indian host told me the importance of children learning English with this little phrase.  In the villages, learning English means a chance to provide for your family. 
29. Quiet time isn’t an option.
30. Smells aren’t always what they seem.
31. Never give your passport to a hospital.
32. Coffee really adds up and that was not a part of fundraising.
33. Prophecy is real.
34. All people really want is to feel loved. 
35. Squatty’s may not be bad, but they are the worst to throw up in.
36. It is perfectly acceptable to eat fried rice twice in a day, multiple days in a row. #ballinonabudget
37. Sometimes you have to miss out on fun things.
38. It’s okay to not be okay.
39. It’s okay to be okay.
40. Cabin restaurant workers make great friends.
41. Prison boys can have the biggest hearts.
42. How to plant a banana tree.
43. How to fertilize said tree with human feces.
44. How to slaughter a pig.
45. The Gospel. It’s so simple.
46. Standing on the back of a truck, listening to music, and breathing in Thai mountain air is the definition of the good life.
47. People at home will be in pain and sometimes you can’t anything about it.
48. Compassion is a miracle.
49. Ants eat human flesh.
50. Be interruptible.
51. It’s okay to trust people.
52. How to feed catfish.
53. Thai food is spicyyy. 
54. God doesn’t need us but chooses to use us.
55. Rolled ice cream needs to be a thing in America.
56. Hanger is real.
57. Farming is also the good life.
58. God has big plans for me. And for you, too.
59. Blogs matter.
60. People’s opinions don’t.
61. Always bring headphones.
62. Alone time is necessary but extremely hard to find.
63. No matter what, people won’t really be able to understand the Race unless they’re on it.
64. Prayer is powerful.
65. Reuniting with your best friends at debrief is the greatest.
66. Orphans give the best hugs.
67. Snakes don’t taste good and have a surprising amount of bones.
68. You’ll eat more fried chicken on the Race than in the States.
69. KFC is bae.
70. Nescafe coffee packs are disgusting but you’ll learn to like them because they are a life source.
71. You’ll meet amazing people where you least expect it.
72. Always stay hydrated.
73. But don’t drink water on travel days.
74. Efficiency is key.
75. You don’t need much to play a good game. A string of rubber bands wills do.
76. Bug nets. Sometimes they don’t work (peep blog).
77. Clowns are just as terrifying in Asian. Run.
78. Looking both ways does not ensure safety while crossing the street.
79. Pho gets old.
80. Too much bahn mi is impossible.
81. Never eat the mystery meat.
82. Love is sacrificial.
83. Beaches are the closest you’ll ever get to God on earth.
84. Cities are overwhelming.
85. I am not poor.
86. There’s little I wouldn’t do to get guacamole.
87. You can eat carbs in so many ways.
88. Fasting is powerful.
89. Works will only get you so far.
90. Processing is a must.
91. Take things to God first.
92. Sarcasm isn’t universal… whoops!
93. The Vietnamese are ruthless when it comes to Uno.
94. You can get arrested in Thailand for playing cards.
95. Evangelism isn’t all the scary.
96. Big questions are important.
97. God is the Truth.
98. Christmas isn’t a place.
99. God is good all the time.
100. Smile! Someone’s probably taking a picture of you.