What country had the best food in your opinion?
Tough one. Loved the Shema in Africa. That’s probably the single food item I miss from that continent. From Asia: Vietnam had the best Pho and probably the best seafood. Cambodia had some bomb fried chip things. Thailand had wonderful sticky rice. A lady by our house had a little stand where she sold fried banana, tera, and sweet potato fries. I was looking forward to some good coffee in South America as most of the coffee I have had on the Race has been instant.
Did you have a favorite experience? Spiritual or secular?
Hiking through the Sapa mountains in Vietnam. So beautiful and unlike anything I had seen before. The boat ride to the Island of Don Det. It was almost surreal. Like I was in a commercial.
What do you think is the biggest change between pre-race Khurry and current Khurry?
Boldness. Self-confidence. I take a lot more pictures now.
(Check out my previous blog that answers this questions in more depth)
https://khurrybullard.theworldrace.org/post/theres-a-few-things-i-need-you-to-know
Anything you would want to do differently? Like how you reacted, ate, etc.
I wish I had taken more pictures month one. I wish I had done more in Cambodia. It was an exhausting month but I let my tiredness be my excuse to not do some things with locals. I wish I had cherished more the time we had with our Squad Leaders.
A particular moment that touched your heart and soul?
So many! A recent one that happened in Thailand was the wild little boy I got to hold and calm down during the Bible story. He was so sweet and craving attention. Thankful the Lord used me in that moment to give him some of that love and devoted attention he was desiring. It was a simple thing but to see him relax and just rest in my arms was so sweet.
Favorite country?
Zimbabwe! The biggest factor was the relationships we made there.
What was the best thing you experienced with God?
A conversation with a guy staying at the hostel in Siem Reap. We had a really good conversation about God and while he brought up some good arguments, the Lord would give me the right thing to say in the moment. I didn’t feel nervous or afraid to speak the truth and proclaim my faith.
What was the hardest thing you did on the race or experienced?
Hardest thing was mourning my grandma at the beginning of the race. I put expectations on myself that I struggled with for over a month before I eventually laid them down at the altar.
Hardest experience was seeing a man physically chained to the ground in Cambodia. Hardest adventure was white water rafting in Zambia. That was my closest near death experience on the Race (don’t tell my mom, hahah).
Did you encounter things that surprised you? If so, what surprised you the most?
ALL the time! In Africa I think the thing that surprised me most was myself. I was put in so many uncomfortable situations, but watching how the Lord gave me exactly what I needed in the moment and it was so beautiful. I was surprised how much I loved Africa and really missed it once we got to Asia. (One of my favorite blogs I wrote while in Africa). https://khurrybullard.theworldrace.org/post/god-bless-the-rains-africa
In Asia I was surprised by the multiple individuals I met that I was either able to invest in or who challenged and encouraged me. Most occurred very randomly, but they were completely providential. I was surprised how much I liked the local food in Asia.
Tell about the children… how were they compared to other places you’ve been?
There were so many children in Africa. Children everywhere. They wanted attention. They wanted to be held. They wanted to sing and dance with you. They wanted you to wave back at them on the streets. They were strong. They were independent. They looked out for their younger siblings like they were their own children. They were joyful even if they had very little.
When I got to Asia, my first question was “Where are all the children?”. We didn’t do as much children ministry in Asia. The kids I taught in the English school in Cambodia were smart, disciplined, and focused. My older class of kids told me it was ‘their goal to learn English’. Wow! They valued learning English that much because they knew it was the closest thing to a guaranteed good future job.
Did you encounter people who were resistant to the Good News?
Not a lot. The only time I can really remember was when we were handing out gospel literature in Thailand and a few people wouldn’t take it because they were buddhist.
Most memorable experience?
I’ll always remember how hard and slightly miserable Christmas was in Vietnam. Not a pleasant memory but one experience that I’ll never forget. On a more positive note, visiting Ankgor Wat and going to the circus in Siem Reap was so fun!
(Check out the blog I wrote during Christmas in Vietnam).
https://khurrybullard.theworldrace.org/post/the-world-race-stole-christmas-from-me
Quickest story you would always share about the WR?
My team the first four months of the Race was so special. We became pros at throwing together kids programs last minute, menu planning, grocery shopping, feedback, keeping each other accountable, encouraging and loving one another, and drawing one another closer to the Lord. The Lord did so many beautiful things in each of our lives and it was visibly evident by each of our hosts how much we loved each other and desired to serve the Lord.
How has quarantine life/processing been?
Very good! It’s been really nice to have a fellow racer quarantining with me. We have been able to maintain a good schedule of morning time spent doing quiet time, journaling, and blogging and the afternoon is always exercise, walk/run outside, then the rest of the time is filled with either meditating, working on a puzzle, reading, playing Monopoly Deal, or watching an old Disney movie. It has been a very beneficial time. It will make going “home home” a lot easier. There will still be a little bit of shock being home and with my family but I have made great progress in preparing spiritually and mentally.
Thank you for all your questions! They were really helpful and took me down memory lane of the past eight months. Please continue to reach out with questions. I will be wrapping up my quarantine on Thursday most likely and moving home (a whole 10 minutes down the road). God has been so sweet in this time and helped open my eyes to truths I needed reminding of. I’m getting to the point where I’m excited and looking forward to goin home, so that’s good! Pray for a smooth transition as I adjust back to my new life at home. I’m excited to be home to pester and embarrass my little brothers again, cook in the kitchen with my mom, work outside with my dad, run on the treadmill, create a new daily routine, and spoil all my little nieces and nephews (who aren’t all that little any more…tear, tear).
God is good, all the time!
All the time, God is good!
