honorable mentions

Hey friends! I AM HALFWAY THROUGH THE RACE. Currently, my squad is at midpoint debrief in Silchar. It is a way for us to process what has happened thus far, and talk about what we want to happen going forward. I haven’t been blogging or updating as much as I would hope to, so I thought this would take this time for some noteworthy things that have happened thus far.

 

Honorable mentions:

 

• Kristmas Flavor Nite 2019, aka one of the weirdest nights of my life. In the first village we stayed at, we were asked to partake in a dance competition. I’d say my squad is pretty competitive, so of course, we were DOWN. We split up into two groups and spent a whole day preparing our dances. The entire program was in Hmar, the local language, with the only English words occasionally spoken being “world racers” and “kristmas flavor nite.” My dance team ended up getting a consolation prize (it’s fine I’m fine), but I dont think I will ever forget the awkard suspense of sitting in an abandoned church building, in utter confusion, preparing to dance in front of strangers.

 

• Sights & Smells in India, There are so many things that have become normal to me in India that would be incredibly bazaar in the United States. I’ll name off a few:

 

– Every man calls every woman sister

– Cows roam the streets as frequently as squirrels

– Hair is constantly in our food

– There have been a few times where I have woken up to pigs getting slaughtered

– I am constantly being stared at, followed, or videoed

– It always smells like poop. Always.

 

• Travel days, I am not sure if my squad has ever had a “smooth” day of travel. Our first one from the USA to Chiang Mai we had none of our leadership to guide us (due to unfortunate medical incidents). The whole travel from Thailand to Malaysia felt like a fever dream. From Malaysia to India we almost missed our flights. & from Manipur to Assam one of the bus’ windows shattered on some of my squadmates. Shoutout to out travel days for creating fun stories.

 

• Malaysian sewers, this one doesn’t need explaining (if it does for you read my *not clickbait* blog). Just had to give em a shoutout. 

 

• Full send, during our first tattoo extravaganza in Chaing Mai, two lovely squadmates (well, a squadmate and alumni team leader), decided to impulsively get matching tattoos. What are they? “Full” and “Send” on each of their thighs. One of the most ICONIC things that has happened in my opinion.

 

• Ferry rides, my favorite part about Malaysia. My last week in Penang, my team had ministry with the boy’s team. Since it was on the mainland, and we stayed on the island, we had to take a ferry every single day. The view was gorgeous. I loved staring into the water and counting how many jellyfish I saw. 

 

• Kindle, It died at the beginning of month 4. I’ve googled for answers & even prayed over it. But alas, it’s super dead. RIP to my kindle.

 

• Potato curry, I have had potato curry every day for the past month and a half.  It gets an honorable mention simply because it integrated its way into my Indian routine. #shoutout2curry

 

• Indian Christmas parties, the first day in Manipur we went to a seminary Christmas party. One of the most fun nights I have had on the race! We danced and screamed to songs like “Gloria” & “Nepali o.” My friends who went still talk about it to this day. Another night some of my squad went to a street vendor Christmas party. Contrast to the first, one of the most chaotic nights of my life! People swarmed us wanting to take pictures and there was this off-brand mickey mouse mascot running around that made me cry multiple times. Good memories, though.

 

• Tuk-Tuks, they’ve been a cheap form of transportation in Thailand and India, yet I have managed to ride in one only once. Also, tuk-tuk is the name of my favorite Thai restaurant back home <3

 

Now, a change of gears; honorable mentions for things I have learned thus far!!

 

• The race has taught me how to have genuine and healthy communication. I am so thankful I’ve learned this. Not only because its a practical life skill, but because it encourages me to believe that my words and observations have value. I used to watch people do things that were not beneficial to them, but rather than express my thoughts, I would let that manifest into bitterness and resentment. Praise God for teammates and leaders who have helped my heart do a 180.

 

• My identity is solely rooted in God’s goodness. Period. Not in people’s opinions of me, not in past circumstances, not in society’s standards, but in God’s holy and true perspective of me. 

 

• After my head injury in month 3, I had a lot of time to myself to think while I healed. Throughout the entire month, the enemy attacked me by placing home on my mind a lot more than it should have. It isn’t that I wanted to go home, its that I wasn’t content with where I was. I wanted to be anywhere but in Penang. It lead my heart to lack thankfulness and joy. However, the Lord is so gracious and kind. His truth hit me like a freight train one day, He reminded me I need to be where my feet are. No one is ever fully content with the season they are in. This time last year was not the best, but because I’m not walking through it, I view that time with rose-colored glasses. He reminded me that my feelings should not dictate my circumstances and that every day is a day worth rejoicing in!

 

•  Man oh man, I have failed countless times on the race. I’ve failed in circumstances, failed my teammates, failed the Lord’s will for me, etc. It is very easy to zone in on what you haven’t measured up to and forget the rest. One of the sweet things about Abba is that when we abide in Him, He makes broken things beautiful. He can take our failures and restore them to His glory, simply because He can. I have watched Him work through my inadequacy time and time again in these past 4 months. “Instead of your shame you will get a double portion, and instead of disgrace you will rejoice in your inheritance. And so you will inherit a double portion in your land, and everlasting joy will be yours.” Isaiah 61:7

 

• There are many times on the race where you may not have long ministry hours. For example, most days in India we have scheduled ministry from 9:30ish to 12:30. The biggest piece of advice I could give to someone in the same boat is to NOT take your free time for granted. Go make your own ministry, pursue your squadmates, start a bible study, do street evangelism, take the time to ask the Lord how we wants to shape and mold your day. Fight against complacency at all costs, it is worth it.

 

God is good, my friends. It has been such a gift to watch Him work in and through my life. He is so faithful!!

Thank you all for continuing to read my updates and pray for me. It means more than you know!!

Until next time<3