Today marks the 100th day I've been on the World Race. As an Elementary teacher, the 100th day of school is a big deal. So I thought, why not do something special for my 100th day on the World Race? With that being said, I introduce you to 100 of the things I have learned so far on the World Race!
(leaving DC!!)
1. A 5 hour flight or a 3 hour bus ride….that ain’t nothing!
2. Every time I have had expectations, they get completely wrecked
3. Be creative with team times. Try an easter egg hunt for encouraging notes or doing a game night.
4. The WR causes you to create combinations of food you wouldn’t have even thought of in college
5. Your attitude affects EVERYONE, not just yourself
6. Window seats in busses are worth gold. Need something to lean against in order to sleep…at least a little bit.
7. Team Veracity often ends up with some of the best travel day stories on N Squad
8. Going several days without washing my hair is a lot easier than I originally thought (and my hair looks a lot healthier than it did at home)
9. Chocolate: also gold
10. How to dissect and get as much meat off a chicken as possible
(cutting up that chicken)
11. ALWAYS close your tent flap behind you….otherwise you’ll end up with a million sand fly bites in the morning
12. There’s something about AIM staff that they will make you cry every time you talk to them
13. Sitting with your feet on the top of the seat in front of you helps to avoid having your feet swell on long bus rides
14. You can always fit uno mas in the taxi, combi, etc
15. If you are small…you will end up on someone’s lap or in the trunk every time you take a taxi
16. Travel days often make the best stories
17. A bike lock…would have been GENIUS to bring on the race. Slip straps of everyone’s packs through and lock. Then watch as thieves try to steal one. Hahaha.
18. Internet is not a right and certainly not a necessity
19. Be okay with making mistakes when speaking in another language
20. Constructive feedback is not criticism. It’s given out of love with the intent to help you grow
(hanging out with Brian in Trujillo)
21. 3 small journals (I’m talking minature) will not suffice for the race…even if you aren’t a journaler. Chances are, you’ll probably end up going through them in two months flat. Buy a bigger journal…or two
22. Share your ideas, your thoughts. They are important
23. Team Veracity has to be careful about what we say….our words usually come true!
24. Take the opportunity to learn as much about others personalities as possible. It helps you understand them on a deeper level and allows you to not be offended by their actions as easily
25. Taking an extra day of rest (Sabbath) does not mean you are weak
26. You get used to not wearing matching clothes
27. Flannel! Best piece of layering clothing ever
28. Most of what you think you need on the race….you don’t
29. Having a hanging scale makes you everyone’s best friend at those critical times before travel
30. It’s ok that your blog doesn’t always sound the way you want it to. Write it anyway.
(Meg, Mel, and I wearing our flannels!)
31. Just because you aren’t the best speaker and forget to include things doesn’t mean it isn’t worth giving your testimony or sharing a word. God brings to your mind what needs to be said
32. Trusting your driver is extremely nerve wrecking when you have control issues over driving and they are speeding down the road at least 15 miles over the speed limit while texting and calling someone on their second phone
33. Practice your (baseball) swing. You never know when it may come in handy…you just might be knocking down a lot of concrete retaining walls
34. Just because your contact lives in the area and “gives you directions” does not mean he actually gave you the correct ones or that he really knows how to get there in the first place
35. Ice cream and chocolate adventures are always excellent
36. Feedback does not and should not always look exactly the same every time
37. Team time doesn’t always have to be serious. Play a game, go on a walk, make a picnic lunch, etc
38. Just accept that on a train in Easter Europe…no one will help you find your seats (funny story)
39. As God is working on you, He is also working in the lives of those you left back home
40. The 5 second rule either increases or decreases by 5 seconds depending on what it was dropped in.
(praising Jesus from the top of castle ruins)
41. It’s not the end of the world if something gets lost or stolen (i.e. first travel day in Ecuador…lost my rain jacket)
42. Worship isn’t just singing
43. Wearing the same outfit for the entire month…normal
44. Being open to trying new things, serious or wacky, allows God to move in incredible ways
45. Allowing God to take control means you are gonna be a lot less stressed out
46. Living in a building with carpet, hot showers, mirrors, and wifi feels like the Ritz
47. People back home don’t know what you are doing unless you tell them (duh Sarah…they aren’t here with you)
48. Time actually does pass for those back home too. It’s not still winter at home
49. Disney songs: great way to bond with your squad!
50. It’s actually more fun to pack light than stress over having an overweight bag
(canyoning in Ecuador)
51. Blog, blog, blog. About anything. About everything. (I’m learning this now)
52. Always bring snacks on long bus rides
53. Headlamps: Almost as many uses for them as for duck tape
54. Be creative with your blogs. Do picture blogs, video blogs, funny ones and serious ones. Heck even do a “day in the life” one of a most memorable day
55. Disney movies create instant friends
56. Be adventurous. Don’t just sit in front of a computer at a coffee shop all day. Go explore!
57. A smile can make all the difference
58. Don’t forget that your ministry also includes your contacts
59. Don’t be so consumed with the “stuff” you’re dealing with that you miss out on ministry opportunities
60. It’s still hard to make time for a daily time with Jesus sometimes….even on the race
(Last night with my contact, Nestor, and his family in Chincha)
61. Honor your contacts, even if you don’t agree with them
62. Your teammates might just end up being some of the best friends you’ve ever had
63. Take pictures of EVERYTHING. You’re gonna want to look back on them later.
64. I thought I hated packing every few months in college…..
65. If you are going to take something out of the free pile, be willing to give something up in return
66. I don’t always recognize what I’m learning or struggling with until I either write about it or talk with someone about it.
67. Sharing your testimony or a word is not as scary as you would think when you have people who love you backing you up
68. Wearing the same clothes for 2 weeks straight…completely normal
69. Make up is not necessary and doesn’t make you any more beautiful than you already are
70. Doing things with a joyful heart often results in a better outcome
(some of my favorite girls)
71. Take the worst seat on the bus, the worst bed, the smallest piece of pizza, etc just because
72. Be willing to let others help you…even if you don’t think you need it
73. World Race lingo will get annoying, it will become a joke…use it anyway.
74. Laughing usually makes a stressful situation better
75. If God wants you on the race (for all 11 months), He will keep you there. Don’t stress over fundraising
76. You will probably be stared at for speaking Spanish in a country other than one that actually uses that language
77. Smile at the airport security, TSA agents, and customs workers. It might make a difference in their day
78. Letting a group of 9 year olds dog pile you is one of the most fun things to do in the world.
79. Learning to play guitar…harder than I thought. Totally worth it though!
80. Coming up with 100 things I’ve learned so far isn’t as hard as I thought
(laughing hard 🙂 )
81. There’s this amazing thing called Postagram. Use it. Your loved ones back home will appreciate it.
82. The American sense of time does NOT apply overseas. Arrive on time in South America…. Sit around for a few hours until everyone else gets there. Arrive on time in Europe…you are an hour late
83. Invest in at least one good pair of headphones
84. Racers tend to consume….everything (food, internet, hallways, chocolate)
85. There is a “Walmart” on every corner in South America
86. Be ready to look ridiculous at times and take it all in with a laugh
87. Just when you think your team has finally finished all the food your host made for dinner…..they bring out more
88. Appreciate the little comforts like your favorite candy bar or drink, air conditioning, and hot water. You won’t come across them often
89. Be ridiculous with your teammates. Pray in unique positions, shout out Bible verses together while standing on chairs, have dance parties, etc
90. Do laundry every few days if you can. Don’t wait till the last minute when you have nothing clean…..things take longer than an hour to air dry!
(Team Veracity does Bible Study with style)
91. Sometimes you just need a day of rest
92. Your tent is your sanctuary
93. Search out a hiding place for introverted time
94. Hammocks are the best napping spots
95. Buy fruit when you see it. Never know when you’ll see it (and can afford it) again
96. Write the date and your location (city and country) next to the passage you read in your Bible on a daily basis
97. Paint overseas….is sticky and it may take a whole month to come off your skin (My hands looked like tin man hands for a sold three days)
98. Share what God’s doing in your life, even if its messy
99. Seek His heart first
100. Be completely willing to change anything and everything to become more like Jesus
(Thanks for all the love and support)
