So, here I am two months away from Training Camp, and I am finally in a place to process my expectations for the World Race. It’s pretty ironic that we’re asked to write about this, as the most consistent piece of advice among current and past Racers is to abandon all expectations. Never the less, I admittedly have them. And many more than I thought!
I expect…
To dance in the rain.
To fall in love with God’s people.
To be heartbroken by the condition of the world.
To gain hope by what God is doing in the world.
To annoy my squad mates.
To be annoyed by my squad mates.
To laugh so hard I cry.
To cry so hard I laugh.
To get sick in some way.
To have a crisis of faith.
To recognize my limitations.
To be built up stronger than I ever thought possible.
To get to know my Papa more intimately.
To enjoy living simply.
To scream about bugs…often..sorry team.
To ride an elephant.
To have painful conversations with my squad.
To see redemption within my squad.
To struggle with some of the sights, food, and smells.
To drink a lot of tea…(I’m real excited about this one)
To be humbled by other’s generosity, joy, and zeal for Jesus.
To see Jesus in the face of those that are often forgotten about.
To gain clarity on my purpose.
To be a little sad to miss season 4 of Downtown Abbey.
To hate and be hated.
To learn to love and be loved.
To sing…A LOT.
To be homesick. To feel that I am missing out on things in the U.S.
To never want to come back to the states.
To be in awe that I am blessed with such an opportunity.
To feel the burden of responsibility to do something with this opportunity.
To see how much I take for granted.
To want to bring a child home.
To go days without a shower.
To let go of things I didn’t know I was attached to.
To pray for the sick and see them healed.
To strengthen my gifts and become aware of gifts I didn’t know I had.
At the end of the day, no matter how many blogs I read or alumni I talk too, I have no idea what this experience is actually going to be like for me. What I am most excited about is that regardless of if/how my expectations come true, even my wildest imagination and most vivid dreams can’t prepare me for what God has planned.
As you can see my expectations are pretty vague and mostly deal with issues of character. That’s because, if I know anything about my Father, I do know that I will never be the same.
Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or imagine, according to the power at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen. (Ephesians 3:20)
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