I want to write, and I will. I will write a lot more, soon.
Today is different. Today, I am writing an almost painful post. It shouldn’t be painful to read. It’s just a very…humbling…blog for me to write.
Let’s start here:
Way back in the fall of 2007, I signed up for a mission trip with Olivet’s Missions in Action [MIA] organization. Loved it. Definitely set the trajectory of the rest of my life. After that trip, I was blessed with the opportunity to lead an MIA trip to Los Angeles.
These two trips influenced my decision to go on the World Race. I would not be doing what I’m doing and be who I am today if it weren’t for MIA trips through Olivet.
Why am I telling you this? Well, I am super excited to share with you that I have the incredible opportunity to lead an MIA Ambassadors’ trip to Australia this summer. My team of 6 students, my amazing co-leader, and I will head "down under" the last part of May and spend 6 weeks sharing the love of Christ.
We aren’t quite sure what we will be doing there yet, but that will all fall into place. Right now, we’re meeting [almost] weekly, hanging out, getting to know each other, and preparing our hearts for this trip. [please note in the picture I am in Denver on my 1st MIA trip, wearing an Australia sweatshirt].
We are also raising funds for this trip [this is the humbling part of this blog].
Each person on the trip needs to raise just under $4,000 in order to go. In the course of the next 3 weeks, we each need $2,400 in our accounts.
If you would like to support my ministry, team and the Missions In Action program directly, you may send a check made out to ONU here:
Samantha Allen One University Avenue, Box 6128 Bourbonnais, IL 60914-2271
ONU will designate these funds to the Australia MIA account under my name and mail you a receipt.
I would greatly appreciate your support as I work to lead and empower these students to do the Lord’s work in Australia this summer.
As always, prayers are GREATLY appreciated! We should never underestimate the power of prayer.
Thank you for reading this.
Thank you for supporting me.
Thank you for your prayers.
Thank you for your encouragement.
I could not do this without you!
Facebook has this relatively creepy new sidebar that reads, “On This Day in 2010” … & then shows people what my FB status was on that day.
Today it reads:
“On This Day in 2010 Samantha Allen is in LA with Q & R squads.
Leaving for the Philippines soon! See you next August! Love you!”
That’s right. One year ago today, I hopped on a plane in Chicago that took me to Phoenix, then LA, then Hong Kong, then Manila, Philippines to begin the most amazing year of my life.
I cannot even begin to replay all the emotions that went into launch last year. I cannot begin to put into words my anxiousness, nervousness, excitement, & AHHH! The amazing feelings of going. Of bringing the Kingdom. Of loving. Of serving. Of doing life with the locals in each country. Of doing life with The Q. Of really living.
I say that my time on the World Race was the most amazing year of my life. + that is true. I refuse to downplay the amazingness that was the World Race. I refuse to downplay the amazing work that the Lord did in & through me. I refuse to downplay the fact that the WR was painful. I refuse to downplay that more than ever before in my life, I really came to know WHO GOD IS and who I am because of it.
AND.
I refuse to downplay the fact that my God isan exciting God. He did not allow me to travel the world, see such amazing & awesome things, & then leave me alone to fend for myself. Never once has He whispered into my ear “I gave you the best year of your life; now it’s all downhill from here.”
Nope. I believe God is an exciting God. I believe He has SO much in store for me. A few days ago I decided to do sarong declarations while standing on my bed [It’s a Kindle in Uganda thing].
While standing up there in my sarong, I claimed, “THIS will be the most amazing, most exciting, best year of my life!”
I believe it. God has already shown His provision and faithfulness through my ministry as a Resident Director. I get to live life with 184 college women in my building alone + a phenomenal Student Development staff.
I could not ask for a more exciting year than I have already had. God has reminded me each and every day that HE IS GOOD. He is faithful. & He is exciting! I think my job is soooo cool because I get to hang out with people constantly.
Last Thursday my day looked like this…
Breakfast with a girl from my hometown.
Awesome chapel service --- Tony Campolo was our speaker.
Lunch with two friends/co-workers.
Meeting with a student + my boss.
PIES time with one of my RAs.
Dinner with my RAs & Dr. Bowling --- our University’s President.
Dr. Bowling! :)
How cool is my life?
I am blessed with the opportunity to invest in so many young women who are at such a pivotal point in their lives – a time when they are really discovering who they are, what their faith is based upon, and where the Lord is leading them.
Every day, I get to speak life into the broken. I get to encourage the discouraged. I get to rejoice with the victorious. I get to hold the lonely. I get to love those who may not know what love is.
Every day is different for me. God is still with me always – He’s never left. He’s put me right where He wants me. He’s leading the way. I am so thankful that He still allows me to just follow Him.
I’ve been living in this verse over the past 10 days:
“I remain confident of this: I will see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living.”
Psalm 27:13
& I believe that it's quite fitting for this season of my life. :)
You know, that time in the month when I post my “end of month video, what I have learned, cribs video, etc." blogs.
That time in the month when I say teary good-byes to the amazing people I have done life with for a month.
That time in the month when I get butterflies in my stomach knowing I get to see THE Q in just a few short hours.
That time in the month when I am reunited with my 33 best friends.
That time in the month that I love sooooo much.
That time in the month when God, yet again, teaches me about “seasons.”
I understand there are seasons. I even blogged about it way back in Cambodia [read story here].
This time, however, I will not meet up with THE Q. I am not posting an end of the month video. I'm just here...
This new season for me is nuts. Completely nuts. I love it. I love my RAs. I love my RD team. I love Olivet. I love what God is doing. I love watching students reconnect with each other after the long summer.
I haven’t had much time to process the World Race. In fact, sometimes, I forget that I went on the World Race.
I know some of you are like…WHAAAAAAAAT? How could you forget something like that?
Well, you see… I came back to where I left. I am back at Olivet. I am back in Residential Life. Yes, I have a brand new role – I am a Director, not an Assistant. However, I am working with some of the same people I worked with for 3 years in college. McClain Hall does not look any different than when I was an RA here.
I know that the busyness of these past 4 weeks has gotten a hold of me. I am praying that when school starts, when all of my residents are finally here, when things start to settle down, I will be able to sit and really reflect on what the Lord did in this past year of my life.
I do have my moments…my moments of fear, of doubt, of anger, of complete & total bitterness & brokenness.
Yes, I did have that one night where I was angrier than I have ever been in my entire life. I threw a 3-year-old temper tantrum.
Here’s the scene: I fell asleep on my super comfy loveseat while watching the White Sox. I woke up and realized I was all alone. I was completely alone in this way-too-big 2 bedroom apartment.
I laid on my floor – face down, & threw a fit. I was ANGRY. & I e-mailed my squad leader & friend, Tiffany. Here were some of my thoughts that night.
I have amazing friends here. AMAZING, God-fearing, Jesus-loving, Spirit-led friends. My community here is great. REALLY, it is. I love it. I loved it before the WR. I loved it during the WR. I loved it so much I made it a point to come back & do life with these people again. Because it is amazing here.
This morning at 6am, I joined my AMAZING community of women here at Olivet -- the other female RDs. We went on a bike ride through the gorgeous trails our city has marked out. We stopped for coffee on the way home.
Lovie Smith said "Good morning," to me today. He's the head coach of the Chicago Bears.
My 7 beautiful RAs will all be here on Saturday. We're having a sleepover in my apartment. FINALLY I will have more than just me here. I'm more than excited to meet them & to get this crazy big building filled with the 200+ women that God has chosen me to live with this year.
Today is Jared's birthday. Jared is a friend I met while in Kenya. I miss him. & his friends -- who became my friends.
I'm a bit angry right now. I'm angry about the World Race. I'm angry. & I don't get angry often. It takes a lot for me to get to a point where I am okay with describing myself as angry. Right now, I'm angry.
Why did I go on the World Race? Why did I meet so many phenomenal people? Why did I make friends with people I really believe I could be friends with forever --- only to say good-bye to them after 3 weeks? Why can't I go live in Cambodia & spend every day hanging out with Srey Leak & Channa --- while also hanging out with Ron & Joanna from the Philippines, Jared/Janet/Vincent/Grace/Joseph from Kenya, Harriet from Uganda, Thelma, JoJou, & Alvin in India, all my boys in Ukraine, Dawn in Romania & Jill from Northern Ireland [who I met in Romania]?
Why am I in a two-bedroom apartment ALL ALONE? I often find myself wandering from room to room as if eventually 30+ Q people will jump out & say "Surprise! We're living with you!"
Why am I in the place where I know & believe without a shadow of a doubt God has called me -- He went above & beyond over the past 3 years to show me that this is EXACTLY where He wants me for this season of my life --- and I do not want to be here?
By the way, the word "season" makes me want to vomit. ugh. I know that there are seasons. I know that God puts people in our lives sometimes for only a season. ...but WHY? Why can't I have everyone I love with me right now? Why is it that I met beautiful, amazing, friends all over the world & more than likely, I will never see them again?
Why can't I hold Bethany Eason's hand right now? Why can I not hear Carmen singing me a lullaby? Why is Ryan --- the perfect height for my hugs --- not hugging me right now?
Why won't the tears stop? Some days, I go almost the entire day without my heart breaking. & then ... just when I least expect it, it hits.
I'm just broken. And I know that's okay. I know that's the place God wants me --- because I know He wants to be my "fixer" :) because I cannot be my fixer. He has to be. I have to allow Him to pick up all the little pieces of my heart & mend them back together the way He wants to.
I’m okay. But I’m not okay. Is that okay?
I am currently in a place where I have to daily surrender ALL of me to the One who gave His life. It's a good place to be.
Please partner with me in praying for this season in my life. Please pray for me, my RAs, & our 200 college women that we get to do life with this year.
Thank you for supporting me so much throughout this journey.
9 months ago TODAY I hopped on a bus with 3 of my female teammates and the 5 women of Habibi. Little did I know that after that 13 1/2 hour ride to Phuket, Thailand, my life would be forever changed.
The Lordbroke.my.heart for HIS people in Thailand. He has such beautiful daughters who have been told that the only way for them to make money is to sell themselves to ... dare I say, HIS sons who are so lonely, so broken that they believe that the only way to find "love" or "pleasure" in this life is to use these women they meet on Bangla...
Why do I bring all of this up? Well...instead of unpacking my office last night, I decided to read through some of the most recent World Race blogs. I think it's SO amazing to read blogs written by racers who are where I have been -- who are watering and tending to the seeds that I have planted or watered/tended to.
I found this one that re-broke my heart for Thailand. I began to well up in righteous anger, and [as my squad leader Tiffany puts it], I put on my prayer pants once again for Thailand, the women, men, children, and ladyboys of Bangla.
Please read this angry prayer by current racer, Ruth Wilson.
Angry prayer for Bangla road. - Ruth Wilson
God I'm angry.
Angry at you.
with you.
for you.
I hate what I see.
I hate what I do not see.
Thank you for giving me your eyes but really?
I hate it.
I feel so small and helpless.
With your eyes my heart breaks.
While on Bangla road...
I want to collapse and weep.
It takes everything in me..
to stay strong.
The way I see satan being glorified.
I can see him laughing...
giving You the middle finger.
What can I do to shift this atmosphere of worship?
From him to YOU.
God my heart breaks for
the girls who have accepted the title of a prostitute.
Those who are so numb that they do anything
Who have accepted that this is their identity.
Most for the means to survive.
God the love of money runs the world.
Your Creation.
Lord my heart breaks for the girls I see up the the glass
Who are not there by choice.
The ghostly look in their faces
as thousands walk by nightly
Ignoring their silent scream for help.
God provide them a way out.
What am I supposed to do when there are evil people
watching our every move?
Wrap your huge arms around them.
God what about the "lady boys"
who have been taught and lied to since birth
that they are girls.
all the reconstructive surgeries they have had.
all the insecurities they face daily.
the lies that they can't be who you truly created them to be.
Give them rest.
I pray they will find their identity in you alone.
I pray for the young kids that sell the flowers and necklaces.
That are pimped out nightly.
that get "hit" if they don't sell 20 each night.
God I pray you will provide a way out.
I pray they will go home.
I pray for the sick men that think its alright.
I beg you to change my heart to a righteous anger
not just a bitter hatred.
God take the images out of my head that I have seen.
The way the men look at these women as a
a simple toy.
instant gratification.
No commitment needed.
One night stand.
Easy pleasure.
Holy Spirit make these men physically sick.
I pray for a deep conviction...
to where they can't even breathe correctly.
For those men who leave with these jewels
and think it's not big deal.
Those are your daughters...
and as much as I hate to say it: your sons.
I pray for those men who are on "vacation"
who look like the typical suburban fathers and husbands.
Convict them.
For those leaving nightly with multiple women.
Bring them to their knees.
For those worldwide that struggle with pornography.
that they will realize that by those "secret" choices...
they are supporting this warped sexual culture.
I pray for the team.
that walking through these bars nightly won't be a
I more than absolutely love this crazy bunch of God-fearin', Jesus-lovin', Spirit-led ragamuffins I was so very blessed to do life with this year. The Queen of vid-making, Sarah, put together this awesome end-of-the-race video of the one, the only Q.
If you have followed my entire World Race trip, you know that I blog often. I am very close to a “twice-a-week / if not more” blogger. You would think I covered most of my trip in these blogs.
However, I did keep some things out of my blogs whether it was because they were not blog-worthy or because I wanted to keep a few secrets… I have 11 of those things to share with you now. Enjoy. :)
Month 1:At one time, I had 388 bug bites on my arms/legs/feet. We counted/used a calculator.
Month 2:I practiced 3 days of complete silence and learned more about my voice than I have ever in my entire life.
Month 3:I got tattooed!
Month 4:I woke up one day and begged God for a day without love. I was sick of love. I was sick of learning about love. I was tired of loving my team. I was just … done with love. I’m pretty certain God just laughed at me. I became annoyed with how much God pursued me with His love that day…
Month 5:While walking home from town with JD, I told him that I had seen too much. God had shown me too much of Himself for me to ever deny His existence ever again. Praise the Lord.
Month 6:I burned my right leg on a motorbike on the way downtown one day. The burn was small, but looked like a cigarette burn & has left a nasty scar….
Month 7:I met my best friend on the World Race. We clicked almost instantly. I spent as much of my free time as possible hanging out at Harriet’s house. I became part of her family. Her daughter called me Auntie and would run to hug me whenever I was near their home. Harriet took me to meet her two sons at their boarding school --- I visited them multiple times. Harriet is a single mom and an amazing woman.
She is hilarious, has an awesome testimony, and is seriously an amazing friend. We laughed, cried, and everything in between together. She prayed for me and encouraged me when I was super nervous about my job interview. Saying goodbye to her at the end of the month tore me up. We both cried way too much. I am so thankful that God gave me such an incredible friend & sister in Harriet.
Month 8:I spent Easter in bed … and in the hospital. Found out I had a little parasite. I named him Tommy the Tummy Worm. He is definitely a loyal friend. No matter how many times I have tried to get rid of him, he keeps coming back…
Month 9:I got my nose pierced in Nepal --- and then it got infected & my entire nostril was swollen shut. I took it out. Bummer.
Month 10: The US Navy came to town for a few days. Bethany, Carmen, and I went out one night to meet some of the men. Of course we found some while eating soft-served ice cream at McDonald’s. It was so nice to hear American English and talk about home with them.
Month 11:We had a playground in the back-backyard of our compound. I would shamelessly hide back there & swing. Almost every day. :)
This might possibly be the LONGEST blog in the history of blogs. BUT I blame you, my readers because you asked so many darn questions. [and I appreciate it SO very much!]
I have broken down the questions into 6 categories.
1) Countries.
2) Ministry
3) Team[s]/The Q/The World Race in general
4) Personal Schtuff [serious-ish].
5) Future Schtuff
6) Everything That Didn't Fit into the other 5 Categories.
Part 1 " Countries
1. What country did you have the most fun sleeping loose in?
Ha. I think I would have to say The Philippines. We had 14 of us share the same room --- 7 sets of bunkbeds. It was a beautiful way to begin the 11 month sleepover. :)
2. What was your favorite country & why?
Thailand! Why? Because everything was great. I fell in love with the culture, the ministry, SHE, the women we worked with, the baby we watched during morning devo times, the weather, the sky, the beaches, … just everything. Nothing was bad in Thailand. It was probably my strongest month spiritually as well. Yeah. Thailand was amazing.
3. How many countries did you end up going to?
NOT including airports… only including countries I actually stepped foot in, 16.
Philippines.
Malaysia
Thailand
Cambodia
Kenya
Tanzania
Rwanda
Uganda
India
Nepal
Ukraine
Transnistria
Moldova
Romania
Austria
Hungary
4. What country was most like the US? Least like?
Most like --- Romania. Lots of English. The clothing is very similar, etc. This could also be my thoughts based on our numerous American contacts there…
Least like --- Malaysia. Very few people spoke English. As free as America is, I feel like Malaysia was in that much bondage. Just a totally different culture.
5. Which country made you cry the most (broke your heart)?
Tie:
a) Thailand. As much as I LOVE that country, my heart broke for the brokenness in the country itself.
b) Romania. The country and the people are SO beautiful, however, there is SUCH a spirit of religion here. We visited a few cathedrals & such… the buildings are gorgeous --- so meticulously designed, yet, people who “worship” there are so works-based-minded. It completely breaks my heart to know that thousands of people have tried to work their way to earn God's love when His love is so free for us. My heart breaks knowing that thousands of people believe in God, yet have never had a relationship with Him. =/
6. Which country made you smile and laugh the most?
Rwanda --- it was a great month for my team/my fave month in Africa. Definitely a month of laughter.
7. Which places would you visit again?
I would definitely go back to The Philippines, Thailand, Cambodia, Rwanda, India, & Ukraine. The others … well, God would have to be VERY clear that He wants me to return in order for me to go back. :)
Part 2 " Ministry
1. What was your least favorite activity?
Preaching. I'm not a huge fan of public speaking & trying to come up with an hour long sermon is not quite my idea of a good time… props to all you preachers out there!
2. What was your favorite place that you helped at?
The dumpsite church in The Philippines. Ahh. Definitely an amazing atmosphere. The PCF staff is phenomenal. The children were so much fun to be around. God is doing BIG things there.
3. What was the single most heartbreaking thing you saw?
Nepal. Sara. A beautiful orphan. My heart shattered knowing her and knowing her situation. You can read about it here.
4. What was the most awe inspiring thing you saw?
The youth in the Philippines worshiping at their Wednesday night youth group.
5. What was the most memorable moment with someone not on your team?
Praying for Jja Jja in Uganda --- twice. The 2nd time we had a moment that I will never ever forget. [Read her story here].
Part 3 " Team[s]/The Q/The World Race in general
1. 20 years from now when you tell people about this trip, what will you tell them?
This year was a gift from God to me. He wanted to show me more of Him, more of me, and more of His beauty --- all over the world. I will hopefully still be learning from this year 20 years down the road. I am beyond thankful that I have had this opportunity.
2. Would you do it again?
Oh HECK no! World Race was great, awesome, wonderful, etc. HOWEVER. Knowing what I know now, there's no chance I'm in for round 2. :)
3. Most memorable moment with one of your teammates.
1. In what area do you think the WR has changed you the most?
Ooh. Probably my worldview. I am much more Kingdom-minded now. I now see an urgency for the Kingdom and know that it's my responsibility to release it wherever I go.
2. Have you adopted any other cultures' feelings and beliefs for your own?
Definitely. Ukrainians think that ice cream at 9am is perfectly okay. I am more than okay with adopting that belief as my own. :)
In all seriousness… I have kind of adopted a lot of “World Race Culture” beliefs and feelings for my own. We are a culture of high honor, high safety, high courage, and high grace. We meet people where they are. We call people into greatness and walk them into freedom. Yes, these are what I sometimes deem as cheeseball phrases, but they have really become my life. I cannot wait to implement some of these into my everyday life & the “culture” of McClain Hall.
Besides just the “World Race buzzwords,” I've also come to know The Holy Spirit --- who He is, what He can do, and how to utilize the gifts He's given me. Before World Race, I didn't know who the Spirit was…
3a. Did you have any fears before leaving? If so, what was your greatest one?
Okay. I definitely had to consult my teammate, Jenny [from my 1st & 3rd teams], on this one. We couldn't come up with any fears I had before coming on the Race… The one thing I think was in the back of my mind was that I would fall in love with another country so much that it would make me want to leave America forever.
3b. How did God work through that fear or remove that fear?
Well, He has confirmed over & over throughout the course of the past 11 months that He didn't make a mistake in the Spring of 2008 when He told me that He wants me to do ministry in America long-term. I like that. :)
4. Did you fall in love?
YES! definitely. I fell head-over-heels in love with my Savior, Jesus Christ. [cheeseball answer? Yes. honest answer? Definitely.].
I am a little ashamed to admit that I feel like God had to take me away from America, everything that I know and love, in order for me to fall in love with Him. I did + I'm eternally grateful that He loves me enough to pick me up & move me to 11 different countries to make this happen.
Oh. And I may have fallen in love with a 3-year-old boy in Romania. I would take him home if it were possible…
5. Do you feel like a missionary?
I don't know what a missionary is supposed to feel like. If a missionary feels like life is ministry and ministry is life, then yes, I feel just like a missionary. :)
Part 5 " Future schtuff
1. Do you think you will stay in America from now on? or do you see yourself going back internationally for missions?
I am very careful in answering this question. In the spring of 2008, I told my Denver MIA team that I would never leave the US. … 16+ countries later, I am writing this blog…
I will tell you that I do not foresee me leaving long-term anytime in the near future. As much as I despise the buzzword “confirmation,” I know that this year, God has confirmed over & over again my passion for America & the ministry He has for me there. :) God Bless ‘merica.
2. Has this trip influenced your thoughts on doing long term missions in the future?
That's hard to say. Yes, I was technically a “long-term missionary” BUT it was really like 11 short-term trips. There's a whole World Race time-warp thing that went on. Hard to explain.
I do know that if I ever go to visit long-term missionaries, I will take them some essentials --- JIF pb, Reese's cups, Swedish Fish, Bath&Body Works stuff, Starbucks coffee, etc…
Again, as you can see from previous answers, I'm pretty certain America will be my long-term mission field.
3. Will you continue to blog after the race? or could you at least start a newspaper column?
Yes, I will continue to blog. I do have a new address, though. You can now follow me here:
http://samanthas-smiles.blogspot.com/
oh. If anyone wants to give me a newspaper column, I would love to begin writing! :)
4. Because of your obvious love for small children, do you think you will have children of your genetics or adopt children of your heart?
:) good question. I really do not know the answer. I'm not quite sure I will ever have my own kids/adopt any. If the Lord decides to bless me with a family of my own, I'm thinking maybe a combo. My parents seemed to do a good job with their fam --- 2 biological + 3 adopted. I am a huge advocate of domestic adoption, so my kiddos, either way, will come from the States.
5. How will your life at home be different because of this trip?
I don't actually know what it will look like, but I do know that I am not the same now. After a trip like this, you just cannot be the same person.
I think the biggest change will be how I love people. I will be a much better lover than I was before the World Race. I have see God's perfect, unfailing, beautiful love so clearly this year that I cannot help but want to give it away.
6. How will you continue to keep World Race in your life?
I think I'm going to “pay it forward” in a sense… I want to either a) financially support a racer or two, b) adopt a squad --- pray for them, read their blogs, etc., or c) become a professional blog commenter --- I know how much World Racers love blog comments! :)
Part 6 " Everything that didn't fit into the other 5 categories.
1. What was the worst smell?
Besides my teammates? The dump in the Philippines. However. It's SUPER easy to get past the smell when you fall in love with the people who live there.
2. Have you fallen in love with gardening yet?
Aye… maybe one day I will have my own garden & be able to garden the way Webster's says I should. :)
3. Are skittles available in every country? ;)
They are not --- which is rough. :) I did receive Skittles for Christmas from my teammate, JD. We also had them in Romania. Besides that, I don't remember buying them…
4. What event are you most upset that you missed at home while you were gone?
Two weddings. 1) My cousin Nick & his new wife, Dawn.
2) My roommate Kalen & her new husband, Dan. I wanted to be there more than anything --- I tried to convince them to move the wedding up to August [before I left] or back to August [when I would come home], but they didn't…
5. What's the first thing you are going to do when you get home?
Hug my dad. :) He's the one picking me up from the airport.
6. What American food did you miss the most?
Corndogs. Definitely. They are my favorite food anyway… and not having them for 11 months was rough. [well, I take that back. Thailand had waffle-dogs which were similar to corndogs…]
7. Did you get sick while you were gone?
Ha. Yes! Funny quote from another member of the Q. “You know you're a world racer when … your friends at home don't remember the last time they had diarrhea, and you don't remember the last time you didn't.”
But honestly… I had a double ear-infection/tonsillitis in Cambodia, a super high fever in Kenya, and a parasite in India. I got the common cold several times… but that's to be expected in a normal year.
8. What was the most interesting place you used as a toilet?
Ugh. Okay. So during the India-Nepal travel day(s) extravaganza, I think this was around day 2? … I am actually just going to copy/paste from the blog series I wrote about this event.
Woke up around 5am. Realized the bus was stopped for some reason. Thought little of it. Fell back asleep. Woke up around 7. Bus was still stopped --- in the same place we were at 5. Decided it was completely worth finagling my way through the crowd of aisle sleepers/legs sprawled over the armrests to use the bathroom. Turns out. No bathroom at this stop. I crossed the road and found a tree in the middle of a dust field --- filled with Indian children. No shame. [World Race chh chh].
What I didn't mention before was that this was a VERY open field. With only 1 tree. Egh. Not a wonderful moment in my life, BUT I survived. :)
9. What was the strangest thing you ate and enjoyed?
Okay. So it's not so strange in Africa, but I would have to go with matoke. It's a type of banana that is boiled [I think]. Most people do not care for it, but I absolutely loved it. Kenya's was the best I had out of the 3 African countries I visited.
10. Who was your best friend on the trip at any given time?
Not on my team - Harriet in Uganda. She was phenomenal. I highlight her in an upcoming blog. :)
11. How did the equipment you bought at Dick's Sporting Goods before you left hold up in 11 countries?
Oh the equipment. DSG served me well. The rope I bought was used frequently in each country. The stuff sacks & compression sacks were amazing. I think the DSG associate who helped me pick all of this stuff out should get a raise. :)
12. Did you meet anyone who reminded you of people from home?
When it comes to looks, Rwanda was a big place for this --- well, the African version, at least, of the following:
My childhood best friend, Meghan, when we were in 4th grade. My cousin Quinn when he was 10, and Carson Walker --- last summer. I met SEVERAL 8-10 year old boys who reminded me of my brother, Nicky B. [Don't worry, Nick; they weren't as cool as you].
13. How many kids did you want to bring home with you?
Ahhh. Several from the Philippines. One or two from Malaysia… oh Africa --- I would bring them all home. A few from Nepal & one from Romania. :)
14. What did you spend the most money on (tourist wise)?
Rafting/Bungee Jumping in the Nile. I bought some dresses/t-shirts/jewelry along the way, but those were super cheap in markets & such…
15. How many stamps are in your passport? Visas?
36 stamps. 4 visas.
16. How many people did you see from the U.S. who you already knew before the trip?
Zero. BUT. It is such a small world & I was able to meet people from all over the world who knew people I knew… like in Romania --- one of our contacts, Dawn, knows one of my social work profs at ONU/just saw her a few weeks before I came to Romania.
+ one of Dawn's friends, Bev, knows my college classmate & friend, Lindsay. Crazy.
17. What was your favorite part of the trip?
Honestly, transition times when I was able to hang out with The Q. I love these crazy ragamuffins.
[18-21 were asked by my youngest brother, Nicky B.]
18. Did you see many snakes on your trip?
The only snake I remember seeing was the one that a Ukranian man put around Bethany's neck as we were walking through a park one night.
19. How did you like being gone for 11 months from your little brother ?
I loved it! [only kidding, buddy]. I missed him like crazy, but God definitely provided me with a lot of little brothers around the world to fill the void.
20. Do you think you can beat me in Jenga?
Bring. It. On. You've had 7 months of practice + you still don't stand a chance.
21. Did you meet many friends?
Yes! I met a lot of amazing people --- 35+ of my new friends are people on The Q, + then I was definitely blessed to meet a lot of friends in each country.
22. How about I just talk to you when I pick you up from the airport?
Good idea, Dad. You're always coming up with the best ideas. Talk to you soon! :)
...oh. by the way. I'm landing in AMERICA tonight! :)
I met my best friend on the World Race. We clicked almost instantly. I spent as much of my free time as possible hanging out at Harriet’s house. I became part of her family. Her daughter called me Auntie and would run to hug me whenever I was near their home. Harriet took me to meet her two sons at their boarding school --- I visited them multiple times. Harriet is a single mom and an amazing woman.
1. What country did you have the most fun sleeping loose in?
2. What was your favorite place that you helped at?
1. In what area do you think the WR has changed you the most?
1. 
2. Have you fallen in love with gardening yet?
I hope your birthday is amazing --- I am truly sorry I missed out on the Annual Elmer Allen White Sox Birthday Bash this year.