You know that fun game called 20 questions well I am not going to play it because your answers can only be yes or no. But I am going to answer 20 of the questions that you have asked me about my world race experience. And if you have more question just leave a comment and I will answer them! It is great processing time.
1. Which country are you okay with never visiting again?
India – the most challenging country that I went to by far.
So much spiritual warfare, physically challenging with moving every few days,
ministry that did not match my interest, and extreme culture shock
2. Which country would you like to return to one day?
For full-time ministry – none
For visiting purposes – Mozambique, South Africa, and China
3. What was your favorite country as far as ministry goes and why?
China – I honestly loved that place and smiled so much while I was there. China was my favorite
because of the ministry placement. I worked with a non-profit called Eagle’s Wings for children who
have disabilities. Those children opened up my heart to a love that I have never experienced before,
and I hope to one day adopt a child from there (far, far in the future). Although I absolutely loved that
place, I can never see myself living there in the future.
4. What was your favorite country as far as beauty, climate, and location?
The Philippines – It has it all… the mountains and the ocean. Beautiful waterfalls and jungles. The
climate is perfect – not too hot or too cold. It rains occasionally but not every day. And there is so
much to see and do around here. White-water rafting, caving, horseback riding, and scuba diving – for
beauty this place wins.
5. What was your favorite language you tried to learn? And why?
None – I am horrible at learning languages.
6. Which country had the most impersonal people?
I didn’t really experience too many impersonal people/places. Possibly Romania because we were
out in a conservative village. The people were older and not as keen on talking to us but it wasn’t issue
as far as ministry wise. Just a part of their culture.
7. Which country had the warmest people?
Dominican Republic – These people welcomed us into their home left and right. Everyday I had coffee
or a treat that someone in the village had given to me. This country was so hospitable and
welcoming wherever we went.
8. Where did you experience God the most?
China was the country where I felt closest to Him because I was able to find routine and balance in
my life. Each morning I was able to get up, spend time with God, exercise, and have breakfast all
before ministry started. I loved that month. And God gave me joy that only comes from him.
9. Do you feel your heart tugging to return to any certain people or location?
Not particularly from this trip. I do plan on becoming a long-term missionary. I just do not plan on
partnering with any of the organizations that I worked with on the race…
My heart is ‘tugging’ to be an artisan in Africa.
10. Which country had the best overall food?
South Africa! – Yummy. We worked at a camp for special needs people and at each of the camps we
had a chef cook for us. I couldn’t complain about any of those meals. It was a delightful month of
foods. Swaziland came in second place because it was the all-girls month and we had to cook our
own food. Taco soup, pastas, salads… everything that people liked.
11. What was the weirdest food you ate?
Nothing really. You always have a choice to say yes or no to foods. There was never a situation
where I had to eat a really strange food. You had to eat what you were served, but that was normally
rice and vegetables. Weird or strange food were delicacies… Not served at regular meals. My
teammates ate weird gross foods though.
12. Which country had the worst food?
There were many countries with bad food. India was the worst of all countries – curry consistently and
spicy foods. But Nepal was rough (and I was sick most of the time) – lentils and rice for breakfast just
wasn’t my style. Haiti – with that red sauce. And China with tofu. These four countries served rice for
basically every meal… well 7 of my eleven countries I ate rice daily. But these four countries had the
worst foods of all.
13. Your most valued single experience?
Mumbai, India – My team did its first BURN there which is a worship session for an extended period of
time. And it was the first time I had ever done prophetic painting. Incredible life changing
experience. God really opened up my heart that night to what it looks like to have an intimate
relationship with him.
14. How was the bathroom situation around the world? Are you excited to be back to toilets?
It actually wasn’t as bad as I thought it would be. The DR and Nepal were the only two places where I
used squatties on a daily basis (and had no choice). Africa we were blessed especially in Swaziland
and South Africa. Mozambique was rough because we had a toilet but no running water or well to get
water from (the whole poop and it splashing with a non-flushing toilet and a lot of sick people… gosh)
Mozambique was probably the worst. And lots of squatties all throughout India, Nepal, and China.
But not too bad overall. I actually got use to squatties (yall should be proud) but I am soooo thankful
for Clean toilets with toilet paper.)
15. What will you miss most about the world race?
The worry-free lifestyle – Not having to worry about work, school, and money. Getting to do ministry,
loving people, and living in community every single day. I will miss my friends and not seeing them in
person every single day.
16. What do you look forward to most upon your return to the states?
Not having to eat rice for every single meal and driving.
17. Would you ever go on the race again?
No, never… the race is a one-time deal. I was meant to be on the race in 2012. I learned a lot from
the race. I have grown and developed, but it is a one-time thing. I would never do it again. But I would
also never take away the experiences I had. There are even bigger and better things out there that I
want to do and accomplish in my future.
18. In certain cultures, did you have to dress differently?
Basically everywhere you go your shoulders and your knees are considered sexy, and you are not
allowed to show them. In Africa many of the girls wore capalanas (it is just a rectangle piece of fabric
with interesting designs) that you tie around your waist for a skirt. In India, the girls bought
cortas/Punjabis and wore them to church. We never had to dress differently for a country – just
appropriately – and in order to fit in better to cultures you would buy more traditional dress (such as in
India or Africa)
19. How do you put into practice what you have learned on the race?
Live each day to the fullest, and bring God the glory and honor every day. Live in the moment
because every second of my day spent angry or upset is a second of happiness I can never get back.
Live in the present, but be aware of the future. Set goals and dreams for myself, and never let Satan
hold me back. Forgive freely and don’t hold grudges – feedback is actually a very good thing. Each
day is a day that God has given me to live – go for it!
20. List your countries from favorite to least.
This is actually a really good question and now I think I have the order correct for my race. The top
four are for sure and the bottom three could never change… it’s the middle ones that were harder to
figure out. But I did it.
1. China
2. South Africa
3. Moldova
4. Mozambique
5. Dominican Republic
6. Nepal
7. Swaziland
8. Romania
9. Philippines
10. Haiti
11. India
PS The questions from facebook will be answered in the next blog… and if you have any more about my trip please email me. Cant wait to see everyone soon!!!!
