1-30-18
Siem Reap, Cambodia
Q&A Blog
A few days ago I posted on Facebook that I would love to answer any questions you may have had about the World Race so far. Thank you for all who responded and asked! I enjoyed learning what you were curious about, and I hope you enjoy reading through my responses and the questions of others. So much has happened in the past 4 months, so I am sure I missed things and might be leaving things out, so thanks for your grace in that.
What was your process on deciding if the World Race was right for you?? I have been looking into it for when I graduate in December. I have had friends tell me it is JUST a year to travel the world and that it is not really effective for ministry. Since I know your heart and perspective on missions, it would be interesting to see what your thoughts are about that statement. -Hope Bridges
When deciding to go on the World Race, there were a lot of thoughts going through my head, but I knew it was something the Lord kept bringing up. I told Him I would apply, and then if He didn’t want me to go to close the doors, and open them if He wanted me to. That was my consistent prayer. Well, He opened them up and there were numerous signs of confirmation. I think the Lord will bring each person individually on the race for different reasons, but it’s a lot more than just a year to travel the world. I debated how I felt about it a little since even though it is a total of 11 months, it’s short term missions, and after working with twenty8twenty7 in Kenya for years, I didn’t know how I felt about short term missions. I could see how having and sustaining a long term relationship was very beneficial. However, last year I had a student whose parents were long term missionaries in Cambodia and Thailand, so I asked what they thought about short term teams and trips. Her response was that as long term missionary ‘’it brought so much energy and life into what they were doing” and she LOVED when teams would come visits. This gave me a peace about what I was getting myself into, and now being on the field and working with a a different long term missionary or host each month, I can see how much we bring lift to the ministries here. Just last month one of the teams helped a local pastor here in Cambodia set up 5 websites, write a year of curriculum for his school, and create a bible study outline for the vision he had of a small bible study with some teachers at his school. Sometimes you just need bodies with willing hearts to come serve and help advance what God already is doing. Of course you always have the chance to create your own ministry along the way, but it’s a kingdom mindset, also.
Whats is most important thing you have learned about yourself so far?—Thayer Bentley
What a good question. If you would have asked me last month, I don’t know if I would have had the same answer. The most important thing I’ve learned about myself is what my passion is. I have realized that God can use me anywhere if I am willing and obedient to His Spirit, but my passion is the future generation and them knowing who their Father is, how much He loves them, and who He says they are.
Whats your favorite part of having me on your team? -Bry Veith
Your humor, your humility, and your hunger for wisdom. Like I’ve told you before, you make normal moments more fun! I’ve loved learning from you.
What has been the best moment so far? Would you recommend this adventure to others searching for a way to spread the word of God? -Lisa Cyr
I don’t know if I could pin it down to one moment. There’s been so many! I’ve loved seeing God’s creation- the mountains, the jungles, the waterfalls, the ocean, the lily pads- and learning more about Him as Creator. There was also one night in Argentina, when my whole squad had a worship night and the day before was really heavy, and we just sang and danced around with overwhelming joy. That night was really good. To answer your second question, I would definitely recommend it. The World Race opens up opportunities and space for you to spread the Gospel in so many different ministries and cultures, as well as discover more about yourself, your gifts and talents. The whole living in community aspect makes learning about yourself inevitable LOL. At this point, I don’t feel called to be a missionary in another country, and I’m excited to bring what God has taught me and will teach me the next months back into my culture. I’m excited to walk in His obedience on the rest of the race, then come home and pour out what He has equipped me with into the next generation who I love.
Is this tour what you thought it would be and is it what you hoped it would be? -Stephanie Lyon
The World Race is what I thought and hoped it would be in some areas, and not in others. It’s been awesome experiencing different countries, cultures, people, ministries, and communities. The areas it has not been what I had hoped it would be is actually based on how I envisioned myself. I had hoped I would walk out my faith more radically and passionately than I have, but the Lord is patient and has been fanning a flame in my heart this month to step out in my boldness more. So…hopefully my answer is different next time we talk! 🙂
What’s one item that you wish you brought with you and didn’t?! -Nicole DiTommaso
This may sound silly, but my ripped jeans. I miss them lol.
Besides the Cone family what are you missing the most? -Mama Cone
Besides the Cone family that I am missing terribly, I am missing people the most. My family, my friends, my beautiful niece, my wildlife kids. I really miss hugging people I love at home. Next to people, all I want is some Chick-fil-A sweet tea and some Raising Canes chicken tenders with Cane sauce. Oh man. One of my dad’s steaks sounds pretty amazing as well. I miss food from home lol. It’s a real thing.
What has been the most unexpected (person, Place, thing) you’ve encountered? -Amy Britton
The most unexpected person I have encountered was this past week. We had this thing called Awakening in Cambodia and 4 world race squads that were in Southeast Asia came together for worship, teachings, and had kind of like a conference thing. During that, I met a girl named Shannon from Dallas, and then I met a different girl that graduated from the same high school as me, just 5 years after. That was very unexpected lol. On another note, when we were in Bolivia, there was a lot of witchcraft in certain areas of La Paz, and strange beliefs where they would still kill animals and even humans to offer as sacrifices to their gods. It was not uncommon to see baby llama fetuses hanging from little tourist shops. That was weird and unexpected.
What has God revealed to you through out this journey? -Amy Britton
So many things! Lol. I guess some of the big ones are:
1. I could depend on Him more than I like to and more than I have in the past.
2. It’s okay to ask for help and feel the love in someone wanting to help you.
3. I am a leader, whether I have chosen to acknowledge that or not.
Tell me about any God moments (where he shows up, orchestrates, etc) you’ve had this far (I’m sure there are lots!) -Amy Britton
You’re right. There has been a lot. Some are big and some are small, but still big, ya know. I think one of the ones that I will never forget is when my team and I hiked through mountains in the Amazon jungle and the Lord just covered us with protection. We were on steep cliffs, swam across powerful rivers during rainy season, some saw a mountain lion, some saw a 6 foot snake, we were attacked by bees, lost our water purifying sources, and again…we were in the middle of the jungle! Yet, we made it there and back alive without any major problems (just a LOT of big bites).
Another big one was in Chile when I saw Him heal a woman’s knee. That was crazy cool.
What’s the most unusual cultural thing you’ve seen? (Foods, traditions, etc) -Amy Britton
Again, the llama fetuses in La Paz were very unusual, that’d be up at the top of my list for sure. Here in Siem Reap, Cambodia, which is a very tourist-y city, there are carts of weird insects that people can eat and take a picture with. I’m talking like fried tarantula, fried larva, roasted crickets, snake, etc. It’s gross, but people love saying they did crazy things in other countries. Another thing here is the Buddhist influence over the culture. There are monks walking around all the time, and their lifestyle is very interesting. People give them food, they aren’t allowed to touch women at all, they chant at the temples VERY early in the morning and on a loud speaker. (Insert emoji face here) One of the people on my squad asked a monk who they pray to and he said Buddha, but then also said Buddha wasn’t a god, and just kind of talked in circles. It’s just a very interesting relationship that the culture has with Buddhism period.
In what way are all of the people you’ve met alike? Different? -Amy Britton
Everyone wants love. They long for it, but it just looks different for each person. I think the differences are definitely tied to how they were raised and the culture they grew up in. Cambodians are SO friendly and their smiles are absolutely the most beautiful smiles in the world. People in South America are extremely hospitable and don’t mind stopping to have a conversation with you. Honestly, the U.S. could learn a lot from other countries on slowing down every now and then, being open to getting to know a stranger, and just being kinder to foreigners. I often think about if I would extend the same kind of hospitality and time to people visiting the US like people have done for me, and I am embarrassed. Just being honest.
What is a silly thing you’ve noticed that you miss from the US? -Amy Britton
My craving for chicken tenders LOL. I am shocked at how much I miss picking out my own food and grocery shopping for the foods I like to eat. That looks a lot different on the race.
Have you all been able to stay healthy? -Allison Meppen Duffy
I guess it depends on your definition of healthy, but yes. There’s obviously going to be stomach issues when you are in other cultures eating foods with just different things your body is used to. Diarrhea happens a lot on the World Race, but usually that’s the extent of things. We have had several people go to the doctor, but it’s usually a stomach issue like a bacterial infection and they prescribe some antibiotics. Other than that every now and then, we are all good!
What culture has had the most culture shock for you? -Allison Meppen Duffy
I guess Asia because it’s a completely foreign language to me. In South America I knew some Spanish and there were a lot of similarities to the US, but Asia is a lot more different than what I’ve always known. I love it though!
Which country has been your favorite so far? -Allison Meppen Duffy
That’s a tough one. It’s always hard to choose a favorite anything. My favorite ministry was in Chile, but my favorite country was probably Bolivia. It was just so rich in culture and the views in the mountains were absolutely breath-taking!! I’d go back in a heart beat to either of those countries. I also really loved the people we worked with. Cambodia has been my favorite month spiritually with my time with God. He’s just been revealing a lot to me here.
What are you NOT missing- that you thought you would.. -Elise Boeckman
I thought I would miss my bed a lot more than I actually do. I mean, it miss it, but it’s not something I ever think about. It also helps that I can fall asleep just about anywhere.
What have you eaten that you never thought you would? -Jane Brady
I ate ant butts/abdomen in Bolivia. The ants are HUGE and the abdomen is the size of a pea. They were roasted and are considered a treat or delicacy where we stayed. They really weren’t that bad.
I also at a bite of snake in Cambodia, and it was gross.
