Along with the incredible stories, adventures, and lessons learned along the way, Mary Brinen of 2014 G Squad reflects on 7 important skills she learned while on the field.
As the end of month 11 fast approaches, I have been reflecting on a few things life skills I didn’t think about in my Pre-World Race life. These skills have been crucial to my year. If you’re a future Racer….don’t worry, you’ll have lots of time to practice them or maybe even learn them from scratch this year!
1. Hand Washing Clothing
Some racers are very blessed. Others do this all the time! In the first 7 months, I only had a washers two months. So get your hand-washing muscles ready! And bring clothesline. I didn’t, but I was so thankful for my teammates who did!
2. Using the Bathroom Anywhere
Whether on airplane, a really smelly night bus bathroom with no light, the bushes, a field, a squattie, or a public restroom you pay to use, it’s a skill and there is art to it. Bring your own toilet paper too; that’s a rarity in most of the world. And if you have hand sanitizer, your team will thank you!
*Photo by @emmalycarney
3. Discreetly Disposing of Food and Drink
Whether you choose to dispose of it or discreetly pass it to a friend, it is another World Race art form you will master. Food in pockets, passing it to your friend behind turned backs, giving it to little kids, throwing it into the bushes, pouring it on the ground, putting it back in the pot – all require a slight-of-hand.
But sometimes you can’t, because you are onstage at church. Or just being watched closely. A lot of times all eyes are on you. So sometimes you smile and gag it down. But sometimes sleight of hand is required.
4. Charades
Sometimes even when people speak English, charades are necessary. There are some universal signs, the “potty dance” being one of them.
The following are some tips to remember if no one speaks English:
- Talking louder won’t help.
- Talking slower won’t help.
- Try to find a toilet before it’s an urgent need.
- Be ready to make a fool of yourself.
- Be ready to be laughed at.
- Be ready to be talked about by locals.
- Don’t overthink it.
- Smile a lot.
- Say hello to everyone.
- Try to use any words in the local dialect you know.
- Say thank you.
5. Eating the Same Thing All the Time
Most of the planet lives on very little variety of foods. Sometimes the first week of ministry you think, “this is awesome!” But by week 4 you are gagging it down, looking for peanut butter in the store, hoping to find some nutella, and searching for biscuits.
6. Loving When it’s Hard
Sometimes your teammates annoy you, sometimes you meet people you totally clash with, and sometimes kids, adults, and their homes are really unclean.
And yet you love them. You serve that teammate well, you speak life into those challenging relationships,
you hug, kiss, and tickle those little ones, you love those families, and you accept their hospitality.
7. Following Without Understanding Why
This is really hard for people. There will be many times when you don’t have one sweet clue what’s happening or why something is occurring. And that’s ok.
Shovel that mud, tell people about a potential upcoming program, send emails, pull weeds, arrive when they tell you, sit and wait for hours – just go with it.
Trust your leaders, respect the authority of your ministry host, and serve with love…even when it doesn’t make sense to you. There is something humbling and honorable in submitting to a trusted authority.
The World Race is an experience you can grow from, be changed by, and be prepared to launch into your future – no matter what that looks like. You just have to be open to engaging with the challenges and the celebrations.
*Top photo by Amanda Goodroe
Are you ready to test your “World Race skills?” Click here to find out how you can sign up for the Race.
