Where it began and where we're going

Location: Narita International Airport, Japan.
In the beginning of spring 2007 a few seniors from Milligan College began talking about taking a trip upon graduation. Grand plans sent us across the world, starting with a tour of Asia, shifting foci and destinations at times. Interest continued to draw us to Asia, I think, partly, due to the culture and lifestyle. Original plans were to leave over the summer, take a month to travel. The reality of finances and obligations inhibited the trek. We rescheduled for winter. Over time different factors weaned our interest group down to two, Deke Bowman and myself. Our time became limited to two weeks (its all we could ask off from work). We were determined, still, to have an adventure. We began seeing it as a sort of right of passage into adulthood, thus heightening our determination. Discussions between Deke and myself led to ideas of creating a documentary, reflecting on the culture. Planning has been kept to a minimum to allow for a more organic growth of our journey. Christian Missionary Fellowship (CMF), the organization Deke works for has a ministry based in Bangkok, Thailand. Original plans were to spend significant time at the ministry, shooting footage for CMF. Upon contacting the head missionary, our hopes were deterred. For a time the entire trip came into question. I think we felt, to an extent, that we could not fail on this. Determination prevailed. We said we'd go anyways and set our sights on Thailand. We want to see our friend who works with the ministry, visit for a short time, then be on our way, following wherever we're led. Later discussions yielded certain goals we hoped would mold our trip, rather than attempting a hard and outlined itinerary. I must say its difficult, more-so for me than Deke I must say. I like to have things planned, have an idea of what's going on. I think its out of fear of missing an opportunity. To take a moment and examine this thinking would show the backwardness of it. First of all, fear becomes our director, not trust. Can we have faith and trust in Christ to lead us and to provide through our offering of ourselves to be taken where he wants us? Further, to plan out the trip would disallow opportunities unknown to us prior to the journey. Its a lesson of trust for me. It is, therefore, one of our goals to keep this trip organic in nature, hoping we are fields ready to be cultivated to yield fruit from this seed, the journey seed. We have with us video equipment because we want to tell a story. We don't know what story this will be yet. Though tempting to try to outline one, it is against our first goal to do so at this time. We're learning. Thirdly, we want to incorporate an element of rest and retreat. This is a vacation of sorts, with slightly different goals. Thomas Merton is accompanying us on this trip. Our hope is for reflection to occur while outside of our own culture and amidst another. The last goal is to enjoy God's creating, both humanity and nature. We hope to go down to the coast for some scuba diving as well as travel slightly north of Bangkok to explore the old capital containing ancient ruins.
In short:
Goal 1: keep it organic
Goal 2: discover and tell a story
Goal 3: incorporate an element of rest/retreat
Goal 4: enjoy God's creation, both humanity and nature