Yes! I am ready to leave! I feel like running down the street yelling “I’m going on a pilgrimage!”
Wait, I can’t go. There must be something between decision and departing.
What to do first!?!?!
Get in the car and drive to the airport? Or get in the car and just start driving? Is this how the disciples felt when Jesus called them? They dropped their nets and followed him! Yes! Let’s DO IT!
However, it is a little different in this time, I need to pack some clothes. Should I get new luggage and clothes at the mall? But what kind of clothes? What style? For what weather? What language may I encounter? Do I need a digital translator?
So many things to do between decision and departing. I’m almost paralyzed to the point I won’t go anywhere.
Do you ever feel this way? After a decision is made, one must carry out the preparation for the adventure!!
My preparation begins:
Check dates – am I available to leave?
What ID do I need? If traveling internationally, make sure the passport is current. If the passport is not current, make sure there is enough time to update.
Connectivity – Can I get cell coverage? If international travel, check on international rate or use a wifi app to text and make phone calls avoiding cell service all together. Can I bring my curling iron?
Geography – where am I going? What is the topography? What is the weather like this time of year? This helps guide my packing.
Where should we go? Restaurants, culture, hotels! I like to read up on what I might see, the history and culture. This also helps to determine what to pack if the destination is indoor or outdoor, museums or high adventure activities.
How will I travel between sites? Pedestrian paths, rental car, or public transportation? This will help you get the shoes right! I prefer to bring 2 pairs of shoes in case of rain. No one likes to walk around in wet shoes!
Should I travel alone or with a group? I used to always travel by myself or with a friend, then I thought “Why not try group travel?”
Why not try Group Travel?
The benefit of group travel with Faith Connections Travel is that we do much of the planning for you! Our FAQ site will help you with what to pack and some reference books to read about the sites, history, and culture of our locations we travel.
We also have pre-trip classes to put the pieces together. Where are we going? Why would we see that site? How does it fit into history, our faith, and culture? Many times, these are prepared and presented by the church leadership hosting the pilgrimage. Our own Dr. John Harman has created and led many of these classes for our groups in the past.
Traveling with others and sharing the experience is priceless. If you haven’t tried group travel, consider it for a pilgrimage. I love the special times in the evening relaxing and talking over the day with fellow pilgrims, each of us sharing how God has touched us that day.
Faith Connections Travel is different.
With Faith Connections Travel, our main goal between decision and departure is to help you understand where you are traveling and why those locations were selected. So that, when you arrive at each site you can enjoy and take in all aspects of the site; the views, sounds, smells, and sometimes the taste of the site without the stress of trying to figure out the significance.
We also work with you, and/or the church leadership hosting the pilgrimage, on the itinerary and we take care of the questions, “Where to next? How do we get there?”
This does not mean we don’t have last minute adventures. Some of our special memories are the last-minute discoveries which may change your life!
Consider stepping out in faith with us! Join our next pilgrimage or let us help you plan a pilgrimage for your group.
