Hey everyone!!! I know it has been a while and I apologize, but it gets hard to be consistent when i’m learning how to live with out cellular service and wifi. My squad and I are now halfway through the race and living in community in Costa Rica. It’s a beautiful country with super loving people. The weather drops to cool temperatures at night and rises to high 70’s to low 80’s during the day, which is so nice compared to Malaysia’s strong heat.. The days go by quick and the nights are long. Wallie world runs are a must and exploring around San Jose and finding thrift shops are the biggest steal. Hand washing your very dirty clothes in a sink and then leaving them to hang dry through the night realizing that once I wake up they will smell the same. It’s a life style that I am content with but there are days I really miss the comfort of my life back home.
I am going to be honest life on the race isn’t easy. There are days that I don’t agree with the people I’m with and times that I wish I could just go home, but I could never leave this life. Learning about the cultures has been one of my favorite things. I never realized I had a passion for it until I immersed myself into it. Immersing yourself into things that may be challenging, but it is the best way to learn how to understand it. Some days World Race takes a day to do ATL. It’s when you go out into the community and share the gospel and love of God to others. The main purpose of it is evangelism but I like to do it a little different. The main topic in the bible is loving God and loving others the same way Jesus does…soooo for me that means that when I go out it doesn’t have to complicated or thought through. It can be random acts of kindness like handing a note to a lady at the front desk of the hospital. It may be small and it doesn’t mean she will change the way she goes about her life, but it brings a smile to her face and that’s what matters. Joy is contagious and just by being the people God created us to be and by being ourselves it all can be evangelism. So I may not always be happy with everything, but the race has taught me more about myself then I ever expected.
I also wan’t to do a shout out to my teammates. They are a huge reason I am shaping into the person I am today. They inspire me everyday with their actions. They all love God so much and they show me what a real relationship with the Lord looks like. They always push me higher even when I want to be stubborn because I may not be feeling it some days. They are truthful and real and i’m so glad to call them my sisters / best friends! P.s. since we all live so close and see each other 24/7 we tend to pick up each others catch phrases like “It’s been a hot minute.”
Also I know I mention fundraising a lot in my blogs but I will be done soon. So I am about $500 dollars short of being fully funded. My last deadline is this week which is crazyyyy! I just want to thank each an every one of you who has allowed me to take on this challenging journey. It may have not been what I pictured for my life 4 months ago but I am so grateful!!
With love,
Tatyana
