It was our debriefing week in Istanbul.
After a crazy experience on our 24 hour bus ride from Bar, Montenegro to Istanbul (check out Dan Snyder’s blog at danielsnyder.theworldrace.org for more fun details), we were dropped off at 5am in Istanbul, in the middle of Istanbul square. We hiked to a park, got our bearings straight, then head by tram to the hostel we were going to stay at for two days.
During those days, I got to visit the Blue Mosque and walk by the “one of the many wonders of this world” Hagia Sophia. I also got to meet up with a friend who moved to Istanbul from Austin in July. It was a great blessing to see her and learn more about her job and Turkey.
Wednesday we hiked in the rain 🙁 to another hostel where we met the remaining J squad teams who went to Albania and Bulgaria. It was great to come together again with the whole squad and catch up with stories.
Thursday we had team debriefings and then went to the Asia part of Istanbul by boat to have family night out. We, to my surprise, did team skits outside of Carrefour, a big grocery store. It was the craziest thing. Some passer-bys stopped to watch us. I guess they don’t get to see this kinda thing often in Istanbul. That’s just what World Racers do, I guess. 🙂
Friday was an intense day for most of our teams. You see, several of us were moved to other “families” or teams. I was among the shuffle. I’m dealing with it. It wasn’t what I expected and who I would expect to be shuffled around. A part of me is ok with the change and another part of me, the golden retriever side of me, is sad that I won’t be with my old family members, Anna, Robin, Audrey, Jodi, Adam, and Matt, a team of creative and fun people. I enjoyed soccer and the kids club skits with them. I enjoyed having meals together with them. I enjoyed worship times with them. And they remolded my thinking that it was ok to laugh in awkward situations, well at least I joined in the laughter so I won’t be the awkward one in the situation . I will miss my old “family”, but I am looking forward to God’s providence in this. There’s a saying that goes: you can choose your friends, but you can’t choose your family. I see how this is so true. And I know God will work all things for my good, for Anna’s good, for Audrey’s good, for Matt’s good, for Adam’s good, for Jodi’s good, for Marissa’s good, for Colin’s good, for Robin’s good, for Austin’s good, for Aubrey’s good, for Brittany’s good, for Sam’s good, for Brenda’s good, for Priscilla’s good. Yes, God will work all things for our good.
MY NEW FAMILY…
Priscilla
Brenda
(From L to R:) Austin, Monica, Sam, and Brittany
October 31st, Saturday, we ended our month with a costume party with the theme of “mismatch”. Some teammates dressed to impersonate other teammates, and some teammates impersonated celebrities, and some dressed up as homeless. Can you guess who I dressed up as? 😉
A Homeless Puppy?
