This blog is already long so instead of saying more lets get straight to the questions!
Lynne Flanagan-Have you had a time where you have seen God work either in a situation or healing that you “knew” it was a God thing. No question about it, it was His hand at work?
There have been countless times where I have seen God work and there are no if’s and’s or but’s that it’s God. The biggest one I can think of was from the first ministry day of my first race. We were in southern India doing village ministry. After we worshiped, told a testimony, and shared the word, we opened up for a time of praying for those who wanted prayer. We only had one translator and they were off with a few of my friends so me and a teammate were there to figure out what people needed prayer for by guesses and asking the Lord. An older woman clothed in a colorful saree came up to us. We weren’t sure what to pray for until we looked her in the eyes. They were so clouded with cataracts that you could not see the color of her eyes. So we laid hands on her and started to pray. When we were finished we took our hands off and made eye contact again. Only this time the cloudiness was gone and you could see the color of her eyes. There was no doubting that God just performed a miracle.
Second question who has the best coffee hands down?
Man, this is a tough one. Maybe it’s because I am here currently and I had my first non starbucks non instant coffee for the first time in months, but Peruvian coffee is delicious. I went to this little coffee shop the other day where they used local Peruvian beans and I had the choice of how it was brewed. However Cambodia has a handful of really great coffee shops and roasters (but I don’t think they are locally Cambodian).
Abigail Misuraca- Some cultures are super oriented around family / community. What is one value that you’ve learned from another culture that enriched your perspective of family / community?
You are so right! I have noticed in almost every culture I have been to the 2 biggest things that they value is faith and family. I think I have taken something from each culture because they are so vastly different and have different perspectives which are so beautiful. However, the one that has been the most pivotal to me as of recent is from Ukraine. I am pretty sure it’s a European thing, but I saw it when I was in Ternopil, Ukraine. They live in very minimalist flats/houses with not a lot of room for company. Their houses provided the basic needs bedrooms, a kitchen, and bathrooms. As I was trying to figure out why our ministry brought us to a coffee shop. It was booming with people being social. That’s when I realized that they value relationships over having things like a big house. They would much rather save money on their houses and spend it with people they care about. I already value community very high, but this brought a whole new perspective to it.
Mike Upshup- I’ll try to have this question make sense … Do you find that you view the bible through a different perspective as you experience/live in other cultures. If so, how does it change and what has God shown you through that? What culture has impacted you the most? (Sorry… more than 1 question)
Absolutely. I could talk about this questions for hours but here are the biggest things that different cultures have taught me about the bible.
-
Different cultures see and interpret things differently depending on that region. For example most of Asia is a shame and honor culture. This is very different from the typical American culture where we value knowledge.The way they treat any holy book in a shame and honor culture (Bible, Quran, etc.) is full of honor. You can’t put your holy book on the ground or throw it around. Super disrespectful. Some cultures you must wash your hands before even touching it. With this view point of course they see scripture a little bit differently. They honor it and worship in a way that is so pure.
-
I think being in cultures that don’t practice a faith based on Christianity has actually helped me understand the Lord, the Bible, and my faith better. When you are in a culture that worships thousands of God/Goddess, make food sacrifices to what we would consider knick knacks for the office, or a culture that stops everything they are doing and prays multiple times a day, it makes you wonder am I really devoted to worship and live for my God with everything I have or just when it’s convenient and fits into my life. For the most part their faith isn’t just something they do, but something they devote themselves to. It is usually (family being the next closest thing) the most important thing to them. It really opens your eyes if you are willing to let other religions sharpen your own.
-
To be honest I really love being in Islamic cultures. I was able to go to a Islamic country in Northwest Africa (I can’t tell where in order to keep the ministry safe) this last year. Before going we had to go to a conference to learn how to talk about the bible the right way in that kind of culture because the normal American evangelism would piss them off and maybe cause some trouble. Remember it’s all about shame and honor. While learning about how to communicate with our muslim friends we had to study the Quran. Which if you haven’t read it is mostly based off of our Bible. Once in that culture it was incredible to see the passion and dedication they have for worshiping and living out their lives they way they believe it to be true. And once in a conversation with a Muslim they are usually more than willing to talk and compare the Quran verses the Bible with you. It’s an incredibly peaceful culture despite what media says.
Also…. are you excited about the Olympics?
Absolutely!!! I am not sure if we will have Wi-Fi but we will make it happen!
Taylor Thrasher- How do you take time to love yourself? Miss you
Miss you too friend! This is a good one. I think the best way I have found to love myself is to put myself in a community that will push me closer to the Lord, call out the hard things in order for me to get closer to him, and people with common interests. Outside of community and people running and doing anything active and outdoors is loving myself well.
Julia Robertson- Has the Lord put any new dreams on your heart lately?
Yes. So many. He tends to keep showing me things, but then putting other things in front of it that he wants me to do before getting to the “big” one. I know this is all kind of vague, but I think it’s because there are so many moving piece to this. However the next practical dream that He has put on my heart is to move back to Gainesville and then launch again as squad leader. This time for 11n11. But outside of that one of my biggest dreams as of recently is to become a braistia. I am pumped to make that a reality and see how it plays out.
Fernando Hurtado- Hi, actually i want to ask what God had been teaching you all this time, specially in chile..???, thank you..
Man so many things. But the biggest one has to be that I am worthy to be loved and pursued bigger than my expectations. This is something the Lord has been walking me through since launching with Gap L but especially in Chile.
Carla Zuhlke- Ok this isn’t directed only to you but to the many that I know from different religions that go abroad on mission trips. Maybe you have the answer. Is there a reason why they always go out of the country? Is it because those counties don’t believe or just don’t know?
I seriously love this questions and have many many thoughts about it. And when I am in Michigan I would love to come over and chat about it. But here are a few of my thoughts in the short. Many times I get “why the hell would you leave the United States to help others? We have lots of problems here that you aren’t helping.” Yes, America has many people that need help I totally understand. And when I am in America I do spend time helping out those who need it. But I personally feel called to other nations. The best way I can put this is think about a career. Some people grow up knowing in their heart that they want to be a doctor or some maybe even a vet. It’s is something they feel deep in the core of them that pursuing that job is a part of their purpose. Now would we tell the one who wants to be a doctor that they should be a lawyer there are already too many doctors in this world? Probably not. Just because they aren’t a lawyer doesn’t mean there is anything wrong with their feeling of purpose and passion.
I think this is the best way to describe why many people leave the United States for missions. It’s not that they don’t see a need in the States, but their passion and purpose is elsewhere. And for the second part of the questions I think if our mission as missionaries were to just convert convert convert than we probably could have by force and unfortunately some do but do you think the people they converted would actually believe or just go through the motions because they had to. I think it comes down to loving people. And loving people takes time. We just can’t go into a culture that is so different than ours, with a different history, and different religious backgrounds and expect that we are better and what we say goes. That would be insensitive and super offensive to that culture. It’s about being Jesus to the nations. And I didn’t see Jesus trying to force anything on anyone. He did it with love, gentleness, and patiences. I wish you could hear my tone of voice as I say this because just reading my words you might think I am being harsh or I am offended. I am not. I am just super passionate about loving people and this questions gets me so excited.
Kirsten Kuhn- OOH ME! I have one!!!
Who’s your favorite Texan squad leader??
What’s a Texas? I’ve never heard of her.
Jo’Anne Pugliese- What’s the most dangerous thing you have done?
On my first race we were allowed to rent motor vehicles so I decided renting a moped in Nepal was a smart idea. Here lies the problem they drive on the opposite side of the road that I am use to, I didn’t know road laws, they drive like maniacs, the roads were messed up from the earthquakes, and we were driving up a mountain. Not my smartest choice, but it was incredible.
Jerry Gerbe- What has inspired you the most???? Do you miss the children and adult people that you reach out to in all the different countries that you have been in???? Do you feel that you might have reached some of the Goals that God May have planned for you?????You have inspired me when I have seen you sharing your time,love and that beautiful smile with all the children!!!! Much Love Nani and papa
The people I have met and get to do life with inspire me the most and getting to see Jesus inside them. Yes, I miss the countries and people I meet all the time. I think that is the hardest thing about moving around so much. And yes, I feel like I have reached many goals, but the Lord has so many more for me!
Aaron Moyer- What’s one major thing the Father has shown you the second time on the field and if you could describe yourself as one animal you’ve seen on the field, which one would you be?
Man, He has shown me SO much! But one of the bigger things like I said in a question above is that I am worthy of being loved with the Lords unconditional love. It’s been a wild ride.
And animal…. Hmmm I would have to say a penguin. I was able to see them when I was in Cape Town, South Africa. They are fun, quirky and they lived in community which are all things I value.
Chessie Jackson- If Gap L gets stuck in the desert for *seemingly* forever, who will be eaten first?
Weird, this sounds so familiar. Well, I have salmonella so I am safe! But I am sure that the desert would have an Olive Garden so obvi go for the soup and breadsticks 😉
For those who are wondering on our travel day to Peru our bus broke down in the Chilean Desert for 15 hours.
@uvagomez via IG- How did you know God was calling you to the World Race?
This is a long answer, but to put it in short I always felt like there was more to life than what I was living. So I went on a mission trip with the youth group I was leading to Cape Town, South Africa. It was there in the middle of the streets as we were praying for people that the Lord said “Sara this is what I created you for. To love people and be in different nations.” Conveniently the ministry host we were working with the wife just got done with the World Race and kept bringing it up to me. When I back to the United States I knew I needed to go back on the missions field, but was not sure if the race was it. After a conversation with our host I felt like this was what I was suppose to do and I signed up.
Emma Colon- Who is your favorite squadmate? ( I know it’s me, but I won’t be offended if you choose someone else. I know your true feelings. It’s okay.)
Jesus. But on the reals, all of you. You guys are each a piece of a whole and all super important to me.
Okay but for real what is the most ridiculous/wild/hilarious/weird story you have so far?
On my first race I was walking around Siem Reap with a squadmate when we saw two monks all in their robes on a moto. This is a pretty normal thing in Buddhist countries but something was just a bit different this time around. The monk in the back was holding up a bag of IV fluids in the air which was attached to the monk driving.
Pat Cornwell- What is it like being at Machu Picchu, I’m so jealous.
To be honest I am still trying to comprehend all that it was. It was more incredible than any picture could depict. I have been a handful of places and seen a few things, but I think Machu Picchu was by far my favorite.
Zibby Friend- What is the most rewarding thing about being a squad leader?
Getting to do this crazy thing the world race with y’all and watching and walking alongside y’all through this incredible process of refining. Seriously, getting to know y’all and be in your life is such and honor!
Which region of the United States will rise again?
Oh don’t cha know. The Midwest will rise again, you betcha!
Sarah Iscoboni- If you could pick one place you’ve visited to stay at for the rest of your life, where would it be?
This answer use to always be somewhere in Asia, but as of recently it has changed. I would now have to say Ukraine.
Ukraine was nothing like I thought it would be. It felt a lot like America, but a much simpler lifestyle. Even though the language is difficult and I can’t read their alphabet it has been by far one of my favorite places I have visited.
There you have it folks.If you ever have anymore questions or want to hear more one a question please feel free to reach out!
