A year ago today, I began this crazy journey called the World Race when I arrived at training camp. Of course, up until 5 days before, I thought training camp was only 4 days (it was 10) and that I would have to drive to Gainesville, Florida (it’s in Gainesville, Georgia). Whoops…my bad. That should have been my clue that the World Race was going to constantly keep me on my toes and grow me in ways I didn’t even realize I needed to grow in.
A year later, I have fully experienced the World Race culture and seen what all this trip can be. The World Race is random, fun, unpredictable spontaneous, and yes, occasionally painful. Trust me. I’ve experienced all that and more this past week alone.
Random because this week I found myself picking walnuts from a walnut tree. I’m gonna be honest with you…I didn’t even know walnuts came from a tree. I never needed to know or think about it. But there I was. Picking walnuts up outside an orphanage so that the house cook could use them for dinner.
Fun because yesterday I got to help with an art class for 2nd graders. I was instructed to help one of the slower students finish painting his project. He, of course, was one of those impeccable kids that always stayed in the lines. He was even painting his white paper with white paint! I, of course, am not one of those kids. I am more of the “let’s paint the tree hot pink with orange polka dots” variety. So I don’t know how much he enjoyed my suggestions and inability to stay within the lines. I may or may not have traumatized him. BUT…it was definitely fun to paint in art class again 🙂
Unpredictable because on Thursday we were told we would be going to the primary school to work. 30 minutes before we were scheduled to leave, I was told we would actually be going to the high school and we were already late. Oh and did I mention it’s a 45 minute walk or so? Just another day in the Race, though.
Spontaneous because a lot of times I have no idea what I’m about to do. Literally. Case in point. I walk into a high school class. They’ve already had time with one of my teammates so they’re not really impressed with my stories and don’t care to hear them. Ok…deep breath, Sarah. Bible study? Bible study! I opened up my Bible and just threw a quick prayer that the Holy Spirit would lead me. Well, He did. The teacher ended up in tears…just saying. God’s good like that.
Painful because well…God pulls some hard stuff out of you on this trip. And that hurts. But that’s for another blog at another time. The truth is this trip can be physically painful too. Just this week, we were playing with some special needs kids in an inflatable fun house. I decided I just had to go down the inflatable slide headfirst. I took a deep breath and went for it, and right as I reached the bottom…OWWWW, rugburn. No fun.
Of course, this is just a snippet of all the World Race is. The World Race has challenged and changed me in small and huge ways. One thing is for certain, though. It has truly been worth it. I only have 5 weeks left, but I know this journey has equipped me for even bigger things.
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