Hitting the Road or Rails

Two World Race alumni over the Chicago River.

I just recently took a seven day trip to Chicago. I lived in that area for 3 years while I was going to college. I needed to return some camping supplies that I borrowed for the World Race to a college friend. I figured this would be a good time to do it before I head off to the Philippines. The trip was fun and exciting with a few surprises thrown in.

Since I do not own a car I decided to take the train to Chicago. An almost 7 hour ride at speeds up to 110 MPH. It was an enjoyable journey. I had some NCIS episodes to watch and packed a lunch to take with me. As always I found someone on board the train to speak to. We had an amazing conversation about the traveling the world. I had been to 11 countries and the other passenger had spent time in Guatemala. I also had a chance to share a little bit about what I will be doing in the future. 

Once In Chicago I took the CTA, public transportation, from downtown to where my college friend lived with his family. It was nice to be able to spend time with his kids and see that his family is about to become larger, they are expecting another baby this summer. I did also get to hang out with two amazing world race alumni while I was there. One invited me to her church on the north side of the city. It took nearly 2 hours for me to get there using the buses and “L” lines. It was a nice service in a church with friendly people. The church was Community Edgewater. I enjoyed
the service very much and the ability to go out to lunch with them after the service. From there I met the other race alumni in the loop. We sat down for a
little while talking about our experiences on the race and the dreams God has given to us. Then we walked around the city stopping to see the bean and the river, it was dyed green because of St. Patrick’s Day. Later we had dinner before I went back to my friend’s house. It is so wonderful to have some time to spend with other World Race Alumni. It is so refreshing.  

The end of the trip did come. And it was funny, first while in Union Station, I saw the guy I had talked to on the way to Chicago, he happened to be going on the same train back home as me. Next, as I was standing in line to go into the boarding area an Amtrak police dog sniffed me. It was shocking at first since it came from behind me. When I got to my station a friend picked me up. I spent two nights on their sofa helping with their kids and cooking dinner before I finally made it back to my home. 
 
I love to travel; it is always very fun to go other places. You never know who you will meet or what you will do. It is full of surprises. I do hope to travel again soon to places to share about the Philippines and what God has placed on my heart for that country. 

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