So it begins.

Tomorrow I'll be somewhere between an elephant and a rhinoceros. I'm heading south. I'm headed to Tucson. I'm headed for warmer climes. At least that's what my itinerary says.
But this trip is about more than where I'll be. It's about adventure. It's about hitting the road and letting myself follow the currents of life. And that's the just the thrill of travel.
It's also about hitch hiking. Its about trusting the good will of humanity. It's about trusting God to work through that good will and allow others to help me along. It's about learning humility.
It's also about meeting strangers. About listening to other people's life story, learning from theirs and sharing my own. It's about learning to be respectful when discussing differences while sharing my own perspective.
It's also about helping people overcome fear of trust. I've met too many who say that the risk of helping another out weighs their desire to helpful. I've heard people say that the government must do more to lift those among us who are suffering. On the other hand I've heard people say that the government is inherently unfit for the job as it is a power corrupted by the evils of the world, and that the burden of caring for the poor and needy lies with the church. I have come to realize, however, that real church lies not in MCUSA, or MCC or EMM or CWS or WV, or any of the other church institutions that I can't think of right now. The Church lies in the people who help others. The Church lies in the people who take the time to be a friendly and loving presence to those who are in the greatest need of love. To those who are (in an obvious way or not) alone or suffering and need to be reminded that love is indeed real.
And so this trip is also going to be about putting myself out there in an obvious way and finding some members of the Church.
Stay tuned to vicariously meet these great people!

Switching tones now in a drastic way... I want to say a few words about practicalities for those who might be curious.
Some highlights from my packing list include:

• My mountain bike!

Some highlights from my itinerary include:

• South!
• and then to Tucson.
• and then... elsewhere!

And lastly I just want to say thanks to all my great friends here in Harrisonburg. Thank you for making my time here such a great one! Although it doesn't make it easier to leave, having such great relationships and connection in H'burg means that life's been good and I look forward to returning!