Home: Thinking

I've come to a "Y" in the road. Until now, the adrenaline of travel has kept me wanting to keep traveling. The intoxication of the exotic has urged me again and again to go overseas. I have relished in all things foreign. But now, my comfortable existence at home is becoming more appealing. I am tempted to find excuses not to go. Why bother any longer with malaria avoidance, shots, giardia (don't ask if you don't know), questionable food and water, thieves and downright discomfort? I think this is a good place at which I have arrived. Inward examinations are taking place. I have discovered it will take more than just a selfish desire to visit far-flung locales. I know in my heart that if/when I leave again, it will not be as a travel junky, an addict of the far and away. My prayer is that God will fill me with such a love for people that it will transcend my love of the foreign, overcome my affinity for comfort, conquer any fear of the unknown and crush any pride I may have harbored. Should God ask me to leave again, I know I will be different.

©Copyright Gary S. Chapman

Sudanese refugees: (135mm lens, 1/125 sec., f2, ISO320)