123 Memories In 4 Months of Being On The Race!

123 days on the World Race. It has been a crazy ride so far and something I continually have to pinch myself to prove that this really is my life. I’m so blessed to be a part of what God is doing in the countries we are working in. My teammate Kaitlyn had this awesome idea to write a memory for each day so far. Here are a few snapshots of memories thus far….
 
India

1.  Riding on a bus in D.C. with 102 people on July 4^th that was only meant to hold about 60. Talk about foreshadowing for the race!
2.  Cows and water buffalo roaming the streets everywhere in India.
3.  Doing ‘Insanity’ on the rooftop with my team on our first morning in the village.
4. Praying for over 100 people in the course of 4 hours becomes normal in village ministry.
5. Having every other house we visit ask us to sit on cots so they can serve us buffalo milk coffee or chi tea and some other snack.
6.  Having the electricity go out while leading worship and resorting to using flashlights. This causes a plague of bugs to swarm you and prevent you from even being able to read aloud from your Bible because it’s covered with bugs.
7.  Trying to get used to the idea that you just throw your trash outside on the ground because there are no trashcans.
8.  It took me 3 and a half weeks to find my first trashcan in India and it was inside a French bakery.
9.  Preaching the gospel in front of a Hindu temple and having dozens ask to receive Christ into their life.
10.  Being kicked out of a Hindu village for sharing the Gospel.
11.  Eating curried chicken, rice and chapati every single meal of every single day.
12.  Bucket showers with water pumped from a well. Then sweating before you even finish drying yourself off when you’re done because it’s so hot.
13. Rabid kangaroos running through the church at 5:30am. (See blog if you don’t know what I’m talking about.)
14.  Riding a camel that just happened to be tied up down the street.
15.  Being sent to the principal’s office at a school because we thought it would be ok to just show up and go into one of the classrooms.
16.  Trying to sit Indian style on the floor to eat my dinner while wearing a man skirt. Interesting to say the least.
17.  Being asked to name people’s children becomes common in the villages we visited
18. Opening the door to find goats coming down the stairs from our roof on the church where we were staying.
19.  Pouring water into a squatty to flush it to find a big black rat trying to scurry out of the hole at me.
20.  Our rickshaw driver grabbed my hand and interlocked fingers as we were walking down the street. (Customary to show friendship in India)
21.  Standing on a sidewalk with my 6 teammates and all of our stuff waiting for our bus to come. This wouldn’t be so unusual except for the crowd of probably 70 or 80 Indians that began to circle just inches from us. They just stood and starred hard!!!
22.  Talking to a rickshaw driver who spoke very little English who was also my age. We talked WWE, the Rock, and he wanted to know what was wrong with me to be 26 and unmarried and no children.
23.  Preaching my first sermon on the 4 year anniversary of my best friend Jon’s death and reflecting on the role and influence he had in getting me here.
24.  Hindu temples being driven through the city in the back of pickup trucks with blaring speakers and women walking behind asking for money.
25.  Hearing children yell “sister, sister” or “brother, brother” from the closed door or windows at the church where we were staying at all hours of the day wanting us to come outside.
26.  Playing a game to see who could smack the most buffalos while riding in a rickshaw traveling down the road.
27.  Getting to know Abraham and his family who are some of the most passionate and joyful people I’ve ever met even though they own very little physical possessions. Their  joy truly comes from the Lord.
28.  Washing clothes in a bucket and beating them on the concrete to get the dirt out while being laughed at by Indian neighbors because our form was pretty terrible.

 
Nepal

29.  Working with an incredible contact who has around 16 different ministries that he is in charge of.
30. Teaching computer programs like PowerPoint, email, and facebook to students who didn’t speak English.
31.  Chopping garlic, garlic, and more garlic to prepare food for the Bible School students.
32.  Eating bacon at 11:00pm numerous nights with Jason! Man, can he cook some good bacon!
33.  Having the electricity go out several times a day, everyday. And usually always when we were going to bed, so that we could lay there in a puddle of sweat not able to sleep.
34.  Hiking 5 and a half hours up a mountain in the jungle to stay for less than 36 hours to hike back down.
35.  Staying in a bungalow at the top of mountain and getting our drinking water from a spring that was a 15-minute walk away.
36.  Playing soccer on a field next to a river that was maintained by having cows graze on it during the afternoon. Made running barefoot even more fun to dodge cow patties.
37.  Fishing in the river using balls of cow poop and corn meal.
38. Eating every part of the fish that we caught from the river.
39.  Bathing in the river while watching particles of cow poop float by all around you.
40.  Waking up to screaming on the floor above us because a snake had fallen from the ceiling onto the girl’s sleeping pads.
41.  Seeing a rhino while on a safari and riding on an elephant.
42.  Life in community with two teams in small living quarters.
43.  Meeting people who traveled 3 days to come buy a Bible at our Bible distribution we held weekly.
44.  Perfecting the art of talking taxi drivers down on the fare they charged to give us rides.
45.  Choking on the constant smog in Kathmandu.
46.  Guitar lessons with Derek and learning actual music theory.
47.  Learning to tie good knots with Jason and practicing by hanging our clothesline behind our house.
48.  Watching Solomon literally skip a rock 100 yards down the river.
49.  Watching the Olympics while in a hut at the bottom of a mountain.
50.  Walking to exchange money in the pouring down rain for about 35 minutes while trying to keep my passport dry in a non-waterproof jacket.
51.  Riding standing up on buses where I literally had to bend almost halfway over to actually fit.
52.  Trying twice to go see Mt. Everest, but having it canceled due to weather both times.
53.  Discovering the steak sandwich at Himalayan Java.
54. Celebrating Christmas in August complete with a gift exchange where I received an adult diaper. Our party also included cookies, popcorn, garlic-mashed potatoes, and wassel followed by watching “Elf”.

 
Thailand

55.  Traveling is starting to become nothing. On our 4-hour flight to Thailand from Delhi I debated whether it was worth the effort to get my book out of my book bag because I didn’t know if there was enough time to really read.
56.  The ice cream stand in Bangkok made the best Chocolate Chip milkshakes complete with 4 scoops, an Oreo, and chocolate drizzled over the top. The cost, $1.10 USD!!!
57.  LOVED seeing my friends the Bruckerts who just happened to be in Bangkok at the same time as me.
58.  Learning that sitting on the floor with the bottom of your feet showing is the same as flicking someone off.
59.  Cleaning trash out of stagnant water under the walkway leading to houses in the slums. (We visited a week later and it was trashed again. Ha.)
60.  Visiting the Grand Palace where the king used to live. Incredible architecture and artwork. One of the coolest places I’ve visited.
61.  When introducing myself in front of the church saying, “I’m Tyler, like Kentucky Fried Chicken” when I meant to say, “I’m Tyler from Kentucky like Kentucky Fried Chicken” since they all know that.
62.  Scoring a goal while playing futbol with about 11 Thais on a small-sided turf field under the lights.
63.  Watching elderly grandmas and grandpas who are isolated and very lonely smile and laugh during our visits to their houses.
64.  Teaching college students English and learning Thai for myself through a game of UNO.
65.  Winning a scavenger hunt with a local youth group at the mall and being rewarded with 7 baht  (23 cents) ice cream and mayonnaise fries from IKEA.
66.  Going to the World’s Largest Crocodile Farm where the safety standards would totally not pass in America.
67.  At the zoo having a chimpanzee throw water and spit at me. This trip also included elephants who could bowl, dance, play harmonica, drive tuk-tuks and do headstands.
68.  Worshiping with believers in several different languages at the same time!
69.  Cosmic bowling on a private bowling lane while watching American music videos. The world LOVES Beiber!!
70.  Trying to decide whether to pour concrete or not for the day because it’s rainy season and even though it’s clear now it could be pouring down rain and storming in less than 30 minutes.
71.  Pouring concrete by hand for 6 days while a concrete truck is parked across the street. We could have done the same job in a few hours with the help of one of them.
72.  Thinking it’s weird to be inside a building and see people with their shoes still on their feet.
73.  Having God teach me to be more generous by not just giving out of my excess and comfort.
74.  Eating a hot dog on a stick covered with a waffle. Delicious!
75.  Seeing God’s incredible creation at a 7-tier waterfall.
76.  Finding a natural foot fish spa by putting my feet in a pool under a waterfall and letting dozens of fish eat the dead skin off of my feat.
77.  Visiting the bridge over the River Kwae. It’s famous from WWII where the Japanese used American P.O.W.s to build a railroad to Burma.
78.  Taco nights including chocolate no bake and oatmeal cookies with our American contacts Steven and Heather in Thailand. We were so blessed by their friendship and hospitality. We felt for the first time in 3 months like we were back home in America.
79.  Having a room full of Thai grandmas circling around our team and praying for us. I had goose bumps from the passion and love they were praying with.
80.  Getting a 30-minute Thai massage for $3.30 USD. This included having my limbs stretched in ways I’d never thought possible and having a Thai lady walk on her knees from my calves up to my back. It took me a few days to recover physically.
81.  Having a hot shower for the first time in 3 months!!
82.  Feeling out of place when I figured out the dress code on Thailand beaches must be only speedos.
83.  Driving mopeds in Phuket, Thailand with my new team on a 4 lane road in rush hour traffic on the left side of the road.
84.  Elephants walking down the side of the road in Thailand becomes normal. (We met a baby elephant named Brad Pitt that could do tricks).
85.  Worshiping on the beach with the squad under the stars and hearing the waves crashing behind us.
86.  Lighting lanterns on the beach in Phuket, Thailand and watching them float away like on the movie Tangled.

 
 
Malaysia

87.  Being stopped at the Thailand/Malaysia border for almost 3 hours because our visas expired a day earlier. Luckily our team made it through while other teams had to stay the night at the border.
88. Having the driver of our van stop in the middle of the street next to a random 7eleven after getting to Malaysia and having him tell us get all of our luggage out and then speeding off with us not having a clue where to go.
89. Having a teammate pee her pants from laughing so hard while walking through “Little India.”
90.  Sitting on the rooftop at our building in George Town, Malaysia watching sunrises, sunsets, and having quiet time all while listening to Muslim calls to prayer echoing through the city.
91.  Meeting Kuden, a 66 year old man trishaw driver with a Mohawk who could beat anyone in chess.
92.  Learning it’s inappropriate to give scissors or knives to a Chinese person because it indicates the desire to severe the relationship with them.
93.  Walking the streets of George Town for evangelism trusting God to show us people we should meet and talk to and having really good conversations result from it.
94.  Making an announcement in a hospital waiting room FULL of people asking for donations for children needing heart transplants and hearing crickets when finished talking. Slightly awkward! Ha.
95.  Talking and praying with a Christian from Indonesia for 30 minutes in the middle of the hospital.
96.  Running 100 yards down the road to catch a bus that blew past us because it was already crammed full of people
97. After squeezing on the bus getting caught in the door every time it opens and closes. Then falling belly first into a Muslim man who was dressed in an all white robe and a white Muslim hat.
98.  7 of us walking through a hotel pretending to be guests so that we could get to the beach on the other side.
99.  Chocolate banana roti with vanilla ice cream is the best desert I’ve had on the race so far hands down.
100.  Celebrating Thanksgiving Sunday at church in October complete with chicken and curry. (We can’t get away from the stuff)
101.  Walking in the pouring down rain to play ultimate Frisbee in the park next to the ocean.
102.  Feeling like I’m back in the freshman hallway on hall duty as I monitor the bathroom at the homeless shelter. Had to keep men from peeing in the shower, showering in the squatty, stealing toothpaste, smoking weed, etc. Crazy day!!
103.  Counting change at the hospital after fundraising and finding currency from 10-12 different countries.
104.  Playing guitar in a hospital waiting room to raise money for children who need heart transplants
105.  Dinner consisting of lemon pepper chicken with butter garlic naan, a frozen Fanta slush, and watching “Taken 2” in a theater that constantly had Malay and Chinese subtitles at the bottom of the screen all for under $8.50 USD
106.  I don’t even pay attention to the Geckos running across our walls or the mouse GaNene named “Mickey” running across our floor anymore.
107.  Monkey beach gets its name for a reason. When we walked up they meant business. We had to keep someone near our stuff the entire time to keep them from going through it and they still got some food wrappers and such.
108.  Slow cooked beef brisket lasagna rocked my world!!!
109.  Eating fries at Old Trafford street stand near midnight almost every other night.
110.  Visited a local mosque where the teacher in me came out and I asked a LOT of questions. We also visited again on one of their holidays and witnessed them slaughter over a hundred goats as sacrifices.
111.  Watched a Chinese funeral ceremony where they closed down the street and people dressed in white danced around a fire while others beat on numerous cymbals and drums
112.  Reading “God has made us for Himself and our hearts are restless till they find rest in Him” – St. Augustine. So much truth and a great reminder.
113.  Rode in a bicycle rickshaw and had a Big Mac meal for the first time in probably 10 years that cost around $3 USD.
114. Today I had a man prophesize over me for the first time. He said I was a man of integrity. My “yes” was “yes” and my “no” was “no.” Also said he saw a soccer ball at my feet with lot’s of little kids running around and getting saved at a young age.
115.  Being disappointed at night when I don’t see at least 4 or 5 very large rats running around the bus stop outside the entrance to our building in Penang, Malaysia.
116.  Seeing a $10 bill from the U.S. and thinking it looked so weird after not seeing one for 4 months.
117. Realizing I’m on the race when the van we are riding in overheats for the second time and we wish we had a tea bag to make some hot tea from the boiling water in the radiator to enjoy the moment more.
118.  Discovering Banana Milo milkshakes from a street vendor that you drink out of a plastic bag with a straw.
119.  Going to 7 eleven in the middle of the afternoon only to find it locked with a note on the door that says “Staff Go To Toilet.”
120.  Worshiping at Penang House of Prayer from 10pm-1am during Friday Night Burn.
121.  Eating ABC Kakang. It’s shaved ice where I discovered that the bottom consists of a jelly substance, red beans, and corn. Why these are all mixed together as “dessert” I’ll never understand.
122.  Trying to sneak onto a cruise ship with Kaitlyn and meeting a man from New York who works at the U.S. embassy in Singapore.
123.  Having 3 consecutive nights of parades/festivals at midnight that went by our house complete with cows, floats, and the loud banging of cymbals/drums. There were also random fireworks all around us until 1:00am most nights.

 
 
It’s been a slightly memorable 123 days!!!