Many former racers, and AIM staff like to talk about ‘World Race Culture’. This crazy year causes some differences in the in’s and out’s of how we function. We pick up some different habits along this journey, some funny ism’s, some odd norms’, some maybe inappropriate sayings, and just some general oddities. At training camp I was quite unsure what these things really looked like, and pretty positive that I would not succumb to such things. But of course,
what do you think happened?
Here is what looks normal in my life these days……
-Washing my hair only every 3-5 days.
-Forgetting when I last washed any said piece of clothing and realizing it has been a good -2 weeks.
-Taking a couple pieces of dirty laundry in the shower with me to wash.
-Wearing no make up most days.
-Jokingly threaten to ‘feedback’ someone after a playful comment.
-Praying healing over most every infirmity and expect God to do it.
-Standing on chairs, dancing around, and loudly proclaiming things during worship sessions.
-Telling my team mates the truth….even when its messy or not what they want to hear.
-Receiving words of prophesy or visions for people I don’t know.
-Being told we start work as 9am, and then actually just waiting for 3 hours for any number of circumstances. (Welcome to Africa)
-Not looking in the mirror before heading out for the day.
-Determining which piece of clothing is best by two factors:
1)Which hides sweat the best
2)Which hides dirt the best
-Realizing I haven’t shaving my legs in 3 weeks. EK.
-Daily discussing (sometimes in detail) our team’s bowel movements….or lack there of.
-Searching for the closest location with free WIFI
-Walking around my bed room at night with lights off and headlamp on in order to keep the mosquitoes out.
-Waking up once of twice in the middle of the night to quickly jump in the shower fully clothed to keep from melting from the heat.
-Having 2 of your female teammates shave their heads.
-Daily becoming more mature spiritually and yet more immature in every other aspect.
-Being appalled at any food item over a couple bucks.
-Taking the lid off a pot on the stove only to realize the ladies on your team are boiling their Diva Cups yet again.
-Turning at least one moment everyday into a scene from a musical.
-Having some of my dreams and passions from before the race grow and others completely disappear.
-Falling in love with people upon meeting them.
As we have just passed the half way mark on The World Race, most of us, myself included, are beginning to think about what we call ‘Real Life'(aka…life after the race). Often times we talk about how weird it will be and how we won’t really fit in anymore. I’m still pondering this and laughing at the thought of it. Coming up on month 6, we are picking up speed…..not slowing down, who knows what other oddities I will pick up along the way. Only time will tell!!
