When I came on the race, my expectation was that I would do at least 6 hours of ministry a day. I figured so many people needed help in the world and I was ready to work hard and minister everyday. But my expectations have been completely shattered. What I thought the World Race would be like has been quite far from reality.
I have more free time here than I ever had back in the states (this is coming from someone who always wants to be doing something and who gets easily bored). Since we do not have the luxury of entertainment on the mission field, my team and I have had to get very creative with our free time on the race. We have become professionals at creating our own fun.
I have compiled a list of various activities into four categories of things we have done or even created during our free time on the mission field so we wouldn't lose our sanity.
Normal: Playing Hacky Sack-watching movies-sitting in hammocks-Writing songs-Arm Wrestling-Playing sports with kids on the street-Painting each others nails-Eatings tons of snacks (even if we weren't hungry)-charades-playing cards- making music videos-board games-reading tons of books-playing computer games-practical jokes-talking in accents-ultimate frisbee-Bucket Ball (just picture playing basketball sitting down)-riding bikes-dance lessons-choreographing dances-playing the guitar
Semi-weird: Interpretive dancing-break dancing-Cramming people in tents-Food eating contests-saving toads who were stuck in our backyard-having a mini track meet in front of a school while all the kids watched and laughed at us-setting up an obstable course with all the furniture in your house- chasing after flies with an electric zapper-giving fake tattoos-doing crazy makeovers- pretending to open an asian salon-weird bed time stories-debating about pointless things-taking weird pictures of yourself-awkward family photos- adults doing airplane-ear candle cleaning
Really weird: Eating bugs for fun-Writing a horror song based on a painting in our house-Showering in the rain-adults playing dress up-playing doctor to injured teammates (we like to pretend just so we can play doctor)-wrestling teammates- dancing like a maniac in a tuk tuk-chasing after geese in the middle of the street-boys wearing girls clothes and girls wearing boys clothes-sliding down the stairs on a cardboard box-creating a fantasy world made up of food- dressing up like clowns- making puppet shows-talking about bowel movements (far too much)-letting your leg hair grow out for weeks just because you can-naming bugs and animals that live in your house (ex: jim, jam, and jolly who were our friendly geckos in Nicaragua)
Out of control: (*Disclaimer: I did NOT participate in all of these activities) Shaving people's legs-cutting people's armpit hair with sciccors-Brushing and flossing other people's teeth-picking people's noses- dance daring a pastor- timing how long it takes you to drool-mattress wars (picture sumo wrestling with huge mattresses)-interviewing for fake future jobs-fake speed dating-teaching people how to use a squatty potty (there are various methods)-trust falling into a bush-pretending to be a horse and running through an obstacle course-drinking water from a bowl like dogs- talking to people's stuffed animals as if they were actually people-having a daycare for our stuffed animals-praying for people to poop
I guess some of these things sounds pretty weird but you learn to entertain yourself when you are on the mission field. I have seen a lot of difficult things while traveling the world and it can get very overwhelming so I have learned the importance of having fun. I really do believe God takes delight when we act crazy and weird and just have pure fun. Too often I find myself getting too serious when I just need to be goofy and go do something crazy.
So to all you future world racers out there… be prepared to become weird on the mission field! And trust me… you will do things you never thought you would do.
