This will be my last post about the race but before I go I thought I would leave you with some questions that I’ve been asked quite a bit. Again thank you for following me on my journey and for all the love and support.
What’s been your favorite meal?
I can’t pick just one so my favorite meals were in Thailand. My favorites meals are Khao Soy soup, Pad Thai, sticky mango rice and roti. Roti is a dessert, similar to a crepe. We found a local restaurant that sold Kho Soy and Pad Thai for $2 each! Winning!
My teammate Ravi is holding roti, this one was filled with bananas and covered in chocolate. So good!
Sticky mango rice on the left and Pad Thai on the right.
What’s the craziest thing you’ve seen?
Craziest thing I’ve seen was in China when the toddlers would wear these pants with a slit down the bottom. They wouldn’t wear diapers but when they had to go to the bathroom they would squat on the sidewalk right in front of you. That was a bit of a culture shock to say the least.
What’s been the worst and best country?
I wouldn’t say there was a worst country but there but I did struggles more in some countries that others. Nepal was one of them. It was cold, I was only able to take cold bucket showers every 3 days, we didn’t have heat and electricity was limited. Looking back that month was the month I grew the most spiritually and I would go through those hardships again if I had to.
Best country was Japan, it was like a cleaner America. Everyone rode their bikes, we were by the water, we were a 45 min bike ride to Starbucks (Starbucks was our comfort on the race, even tho I don’t like it when I’m in the states), and we had $.80 sushi (Anyone who knows me knows that I looooove sushi!).
What was the one thing or situation that God put you in that was the hardest for you to face?
There were a lot of tough times on the race: sleeping on the floor of a church, sleeping on bunk beds made of plywood, having cockroaches crawling on me while sleeping, rats in our rooms, bucket showers, 27 hour train ride, I could go on.
Hardest situation I had to face was fundraising. It was a humbling experience. I’ll never forget, right before launching I almost didn’t board the plane to China because I didn’t have enough funds in my account. The night before we left to China I had gotten a 2k anonymous donations. That was confirmation that this was His will.
In Malaysia I got an email informing me that I was at risk of going home because I still wasn’t fully funded. I was crushed, thinking I had come so far but I was determined to finish this trip with my squad. I decided to fast every Monday for a month. Malaysia was one of our hottest months and we had long ministry hours but I did it. Every Monday I would fast and in that week I would get $1,000 or more donated to me. God is good!
What is the one thing about the western world that you have missed the most?
Other than hot cheetos and not having rice with every meal, it would have to be customer service. It made me realize how fast past we are in America. Asia not so much, they do things on their own time.
Strangest thing you got to eat?
There were a lot of choices of weird things to eat. I didn’t indulge as much as the boys did but I did eat a tarantula spider and part of balut (it’s a developing bird embryo that is boiled and eaten from the shell, very popular in the Philippines).
If you could go back would you have gone sooner, later, or even at all?
I believe in God’s timing. I’m glad I went when I did. It couldn’t have been better timing and the people I met along the way were amazing!
What is the number one thing about yourself that has changed from this experience?
Patience! Its something I’m still working on but its also something I grew so much in.
What day was your all time low on the trip?
Physically it was in Indonesia when I was sick with a fever for a whole week. Emotionally was in Nepal. There was so much going on with spiritual warfare, cold showers, no electricity, and it being so cold. I was ready to give up that month but having my squad by my side helped me through the hard times.
When were you the most homesick?
Surprisingly being homesick didn’t hit me until Japan (month 3) on Thanksgiving. That’s when I realized I wasn’t going to be home for the holidays and for another 7 months.
Did you ever have a moment when you were thinking, “What the heck have I gotten myself into?”
I had that moment very early on in the race. The first week of being in China we went track bombing at night. China is a closed country so we weren’t able to evangelize. At night we would drive to remote villages dropping off tracts (a short treatise in pamphlet form) on foot. I have never been so scared in my life! We were dropped off in small villages and in the middle of the night. It was me and another guy on my team walking around dropping off tracts in front of business/houses. That was definitely my “What the heck have I gotten myself into” moment.
How has your trip expanded your perspective of the world?
I don’t see the world the same anymore. I see how fortunate we are to live in America. Being able to live in their culture for a bit, experience what they eat and how they live is so different from how we live. I feel very fortunate to have been able to experience this.
How has it changed your view of who God is?
Throughout the whole trip I saw God show up in different ways. I’ll never forget this day in Nepal, our ministry host wanted us to put our faith in God that He will provide. He told us to leave everything at home and to just bring water. He told us to pray then go out into the city to see what God has in store for us. No money for food or transportation.
I was in a group of 5 people. We started off by praying, long story short we had gotten visions of where to go. We ended up in a city 30 minutes away by car, had our lunch provided for us and got a ride back.
This might not sound like much but in a country that was low on gas resources and having Americans coming up to you and asking for a ride is bizarre, because other countries think if you’re American you have money. The fact that we were able to make it to the other city, without money, was a miracle in itself. Through out the day we were able to pray for people along the way. At one point we had a crowd around us as we were praying for a blind man on top of a bridge.
Never underestimate the power of God.
How has your trip affected your faith in God?
This trip strengthened my relationship with the Lord. I was raised Catholic and felt like I didn’t really have a relationship with Him. Being around believers that encouraged me, uplifted me, and guided me towards building my relationship with God helped my walk with God. I traveled with an amazing group of people that showed me grace, called me out on my crap and loved me the whole way through.
What advice do you have for future racers?
Don’t go in with expectations go in with an open mind, I guarantee God will blow your mind!
Weirdest place you’ve slept?
In the Philippines we slept inside on the top of bunk beds made of plywood. One night I was awaken by a cockroach crawling on my arm. I screamed so loud my roommates thought I had fallen off the bed. After that night I slept outside in a hammock.
What’s next?
The unknown is always scary. I have applied for a leadership academy that begins in January. I’m still waiting on a response, so if you can keep me in your prayers. My ultimate goal is to start a business that will allow me to financially support other missionaries. It was hard for me to fundraise and don’t want others to be discouraged about going onto the field because of finances. I never thought I would make my goal and I ended up going $1,500 over my goal, God is good!
Thank you for all of your support and prayers! God Bless!
