Becoming a nomad changed our lives
The love we've learned about on the journey.
The birth of The Sojourners
I often get asked why my husband and I left England to travel. There are many reasons, the main one being God - a deep conviction that this was in His plans for us. When we booked the one-way ticket to Cape Town, we had no clue what to expect. The name "Sojourners" popped into my spirit while praying about our next steps. The name “Sojourners” translates to temporary residents. Abraham was known as one who sojourned by faith to the promised land, and so God used that scripture to prophesy what would happen on our journey.
By faith, he sojourned in the land of promise, as in a strange country, dwelling in tabernacles with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise: for he looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God - Hebrew 11:8-10
And just like Abraham, we set out to the foreign land. A holiday with no end date turned into a life-changing experience. When I reflect on it, the most powerful experience I've found is the type of love I've developed along the way.
The love of people.
Before we began our travels, I was hesitant to make new friends. I feared the dreaded goodbyes and didn't think about making any new friends. But God. He has opened my heart to people, whom I have the capacity to love in a healthy and unique way. It's very easy to separate yourself when travelling. It's convenient to ignore the needs of others for your love. But I am learning how much joy there is in love. The child we met in Zimbabwe ran into my arms every day after school - that was love. The church we met in Cape Town inspired us with their love to show us their country and spend their weekends with us. The friends we made in Nairobi took the time to answer every question under the sun - that was love. They didn't have to help us. They didn't even have to want to learn more about us - but they did. Their love for us was challenging and often made me think about how important it is to learn how to love people. So much so that they tell other people about the love they've experienced.
My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. - John 15:12
The love that liberates.
At times, choosing to leave home evokes resentment or upset in those you leave behind. I was under no illusion that everyone would be as excited as we were about leaving them. I understand that they wanted us to stay close but I'm learning love doesn't bind - it liberates. Maya Angelou says "love liberates. It doesn't hold—that's ego. Love liberates. It doesn't bind. Love says, 'I love you. I love you if you're in China. I love you if you're across town. I love you if you're in Harlem. I love you. I would like to be near you. I'd like to have your arms around me. I'd like to hear your voice in my ear. But that's not possible now, so I love you. Go." This kind of love has sustained us in our travels. I have felt this love from friends and family that we left behind in England. They know this is our purpose right now and want to see us enjoy the world and figure out what our next thing looks like. I'm liberated by that love and convicted to offer that love in exchange for others.
Love is not in a building.
Humans love certain and permanent things like houses. We enjoy knowing where we're going to be living, the interior design of our home etc - it's grounding. As a newly married woman, I was so nervous about not having that kind of certainty in my first year of marriage. (I thought) trusted God but did I trust myself to figure it all out? How can I learn how to manage my household when my house changes every month? Everything in me screamed what we were doing made no sense. Yet there was another still small voice that said it will all work out - I believed that voice. The voice had led me through the wilderness before and I was sure it wouldn't stop now.
But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong - 1 Corinthians 1:27
Can I testify? Every house we walked into became a home away from home. It was not because of how it looked, the western perks, how much cooking I did or anything else. It felt like home because no matter where we stayed - my union was a constant. We were each other's home. Sometimes, there are parts of your home that need tending to and other times your home is your saving grace. The main thing is that you have to tend to that home (person) because it's all you have. It's shown me how much I appreciate and love the time I get to spend alone with my husband. It has also detached us from a longing to have lots of 'things' that in the end won't matter as much. And instead, build foundations in our marriage that stand the test of every environment we find ourselves in.
The love of purpose
I used to imagine what success was and it looked very different to my current reality. But then, something switched. I've learnt to look around and say "thank you, God". I have loved figuring out our purpose without the noise of others and their opinions on what's right. We're no longer living for man and deciding it on our own terms. It's so freeing but also necessary. When you're travelling and exposed to so many different cultures - it's hard to keep your old mindset. You learn to start to figure out the plan for you and pursue it, in a way that makes sense for you.
For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. - Jeremiah 29:11
Final thoughts
I don't recommend this for everyone, I know so many say everyone should travel like this but I don't agree. This is not for everyone. There are people who should stay in one community and build there. There are people who don't want to do what we do but are curious about life as a Sojourner/Nomad. I love being able to highlight the fact that there's not one clear path. Doing what you feel is right and God's plan is the best choice.
I pray this has inspired your own journey of doing foolish things and waiting to see how amazed you'll be in the end. Travelling in this way has truly changed our lives forever.