I just finished a half marathon, and it took me 4.5 months. Hahaha, I wish I meant 13.1 miles (hopefully one day) but for now what I mean is I’m halfway through the World Race. And this race is not a sprint, it’s a marathon. I’ll be honest, some days it feels so long like I’m struggling to get up a hill while other days it feels like an easy jog with the wind to my back.
Yes, I’m officially half way through the World Race. I’ve been on the field for 4.5 months and I have no idea what words to use for a blog to describe it all.
I’ve slept in many different places— a bunk bed at the mission house in SA, the classroom floor of GLA, a hostel bunk, a mattress on the ground at a summer camp, in my tent, on the bathroom floor, between chairs in the Paris airport, on busses, on a couple couches, and basically anywhere the race takes me.
I’ve taken LOTS of different modes of transportation— long flights between countries and even longer overnight bus rides between cities. Trains. Subways. Lots of Jbay cabs, Ubers, and taxis on the weekend. And of course the public bus that I take home from ministry every single day.
I’ve seen some of the most beautiful things— like the amazing beaches in South Africa and the beautiful mountains of Ecuador
I’ve had some great adventure days— like jumping off the world’s highest bungee bridge, surfing in one of the world’s best surf cities, zip lining, cliff jumping, and exploring cities
I’ve taken a bazillion pictures— although I’ve failed to share them enough
I’ve had lice— and they were tricky little buggies that just wouldn’t get out for weeks
I’ve eaten foods I don’t like— chicken feet, pig skin, mystery juices, unidentifiable meats, and other things
And I’ve also eaten foods I really like— fried plantains and fresh fruit in Ecuador. Checker’s pizza and anything from Nina’s in South Africa.
I’ve danced a lot— In South Africa, the locals taught me how to Sokkie. In Ecuador, the locals taught me how to Salsa. And me.. well I taught a lot of kids how to do the Church Clap and the Cotton Eye Joe. Also, my squad has had some good dance parties while doing the dishes or celebrating birthdays and holidays. Dancing is just a universal fun thing to do.
I’ve learned some languages— for example, “baie dankie” (sounds like buy-a-dokney) is thank you in Afrikaans. And now in Ecuador I get to learn more vocab while I put my Spanish to use
I’ve had a lot of team times— with many laughs and only the occasional tear. One time, we even had ice cream cake at team time!
I’ve gone to malls and coffee shops a lot— more than I did in the states. But this time, solely for the purpose of getting WiFi to talk back home and post things, like this.
I’ve talked to a bunch of strangers and met a lot of new people— like that time me and another girl sat down with two strangers to have coffee. Little did we know, we were intruding on their business meeting but by the time we left we were all friends and happy to have met one another.
But by this time, I’ve had moments where I hit the point of actual homesickness— when I was sitting on the toilet throwing up and wishing I could hop on a flight home so I didn’t have to get sick from foreign food anymore. Getting sick 7 times in 4 months really messed with my strength, physically and emotionally.
I’ve also hit the point where it feels like nothing spectacular, but rather just a normal life— when I go to school everyday to minister to high school kids through a game of soccer or a simple conversation in the classroom. In a way, it feels like what I could do when I was in school. But on the contrary, I’ve experienced the amazing honor of sharing the Gospel to a student who had never heard it before but was eager to. And can I just say.. explaining the story of Jesus’ life for the first time to someone who has never heard it made me feel even more grateful for His life.
I’ve seen real poverty— at the squatter camps in South Africa where people’s houses were built out of tin and cardboard. And here in Ecuador, where the extreme poverty line is people living on $0.89 a day.
I’ve questioned my faith— like in Month 1 when I was like “what the heck am I doing living in South Africa” and what have I been doing my whole life with God?
I’ve learned to be more generous and giving— like that one day in South Africa when I was really hungry so I bought a banana but then right once I walked down the street and peeled it open, a little boy (who I knew could use the banana more than me) ran up to me asking for it and I had to learn to be generous even when it’s not convenient.
I’ve learned how to be confrontational in the moment— rather than keeping to myself and holding a grudge against my teammates.
I’ve learned to listen— people just wanna be seen and known and heard. Loving people means listening to them
I’ve prayed a lot— it feels like I’ve prayed more in the past 4.5 months than I have in my entire life
And I’ve decided it’s okay to look like a fool for Jesus— like that time we went to downtown Jbay on the night they were having a rage for young adults and we just walked around the block in circles to pray over the streets and stop along the way to help any people who might be drunk and need a ride home or who were curious as to what we were doing.
So yeah.. this race I’ve been “running” has been extremely fun! And adventurous! And eyeopening! And demanding! And exhausting! And now that I’ve officially hit the half way mark, reflecting on the past 4.5 months, I can say I’m really happy. Happy to have chosen this for my life. Happy to have experienced the good and the bad. And happy that I have another 4.5 months that can be even better. I know God’s got more in store.
