1. Even if you’re not really one for journaling, bring a notebook or a day planner and write down what you did each day. You can use bullet points. It’ll take ten minutes out of your day. It’s worth it.
2. Include a potato peeler and a small (but sharp) kitchen knife on your packing list.
3. Every pound counts when you’re carrying it through a small town on the fringes of the Atacama Desert after a twenty-two hour bus ride. Limit yourself, or be willing to let go of some things along the way.
4. Open your bible everyday. Pray. Listen.
5. You will have bug bites. You won’t always like the food. The toilets are going to be all kinds of funky. There will be people who want to cheat you out of everything in your wallet. It’s going to be exceptionally hot. Sometimes, your teammates are going to annoy you. Be grateful.
6. Set goals for yourself. Realistic, measurable, attainable goals. Review them monthly.
7. Language is important. Learn as much as you can in the month you’ve been given. It makes a difference.
8. Love deeply. Hold Loosely.
9. Set the expectations for everyone at home. Tell them how often you plan on communicating with them. Your parents. Your friends. Your supporters. Honor those expectations, and communicate clearly when or if they need to change.
10. The Race is going to be over someday. Don’t wait for someone else to make it happen for you. Decide what you want and fight for it.
I’m still in the process of fundraising to cover these additional two and a half months of Alumni Team Leading. Thank you to everyone who has already donated! If you’d still like to contribute, you can follow the “Donate!” link above.
