We're not on this earth for ourselves.
We're not on this adventure, trip, lifestyle for ourselves.
You might think the opposite from reading our posts. But frankly there are many "others" we are doing this for.
- Our kids -- by far the biggest reason for this lifestyle is so our kids will grow up in (a) different culture(s) then the one Becky and I grew up in.
- Other nomadic families -- We were disappointed to find a lack of community amongst location independent families. This fuels our blog and our business
- The possibility of helping people -- more on this today.
As a reminder (or new information for those who are new to our blog, we have over 500 people reading now!), we bought an RV to drive to Mexico and Ecuador. Through research we determined there are two areas in these two counties which are really appealing to us as a family. We're looking to establish a "home base" in one of these four locations and live there for 6 months out of the year and travel /from/ there.
However we have friends spread throughout the US, so much so that when we say we're going to be in a place for a day people comment that they're only 1-3 hours drive away and we should come visit them. So the straight line from West Michigan to the Baja of Mexico has turned into heading North to go south, then finally being in the south and once again heading north. We're currently in Wyoming and planning on hitting up Yellowstone before it closes for the season on November 2.
But in the grand scheme of things... We're flexible.
We've changed plans and our route significantly... based on health, breakdowns, finances, and timing.
We've always wondered if God was preparing us to be a larger influence. Like most people on this earth we're always looking for a greater purpose than just ourselves.
Don't get me wrong, making a million dollars a year and living on a yacht with a crew of 20 while I just play with the kids and not work would be great, but that's not in the cards for me.
Instead we're here to be open. To be flexible. To be willing to do what God calls us to do.
We're working hard to overcome some debts and while a new tranny, and other setbacks haven't helped much in that arena we're still trying to complete this trip and get into Mexico where we can save more money by living cheaper.
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However we wondered if we would be called to get involved in a hurricane Katrina-like rebuild and rescue project?
We wondered if Hurricane Joaquin was going to be something that we would need to turn around and go back to the Atlantic coast to help with. However our contacts all said no.
And then then this morning I saw this:
Hurricane Patricia 'potentially catastrophic' as it heads to Mexico
I dug into that "Catastrophic" line a bit more and found this: At 200 MPH, Hurricane Patricia Is Now the Strongest Tropical Cyclone Ever Recorded
Here's the potential path:
And the image that hit me:
How bad will this storm be?
Will we be able to help?
Is this our greater purpose??
I don't know.
All I know is that we need to get our crew healthy again so we can be available if called upon to help.
Paul Kortman
Dad of 4, husband, blogger, digital marketer, follower of Jesus. I podcast at nomadtogether.com and own connexdigitalmarketing.com We're on this crazy journey to travel the world as a lifestyle. Looking for help in how to live as a digital nomad family? Join this Facebook Group!
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Paul – I like your thinking here. As my family continues toward location independence, we are thinking through what we can do while we stay somewhere for a month a time.
Right now, one idea I am thinking of is contacting churches ahead of time to let them know we’re available for anything they need help with while we’re in town. This will allow us to be a blessing to a local congregation and make new friends/contacts along the way.
Also, being available for larger needs and relief efforts is just an amazing opportunity for nomadic families. Why don’t you go ahead and figure it all out for the rest of us :) ha ha
Working on it Ben ;)
Blogging our way through it too!
“Independent” seems to run in our familial history, in 2004 Becky and I traveled the world helping missionaries, much like you are talking about with local churches, we just let people know we were going to be there and willing to help. Some places were wide open to that, others not at all. So I’d expect the same from churches, they’re quite difficult to connect with and get a straight answer from… some will be like “sure yeah we could use help” and when the time comes they have nothing, and others will actually have something for you.
Thanks for following along, here’s to seeing what happens!
Dear Ben, This is a good idea. It worked pretty well for my friend and I as we took a semester off from college. We waxed floors, build a stage, and did all sorts of service projects at churches across the country. We learned heaps, ate heaps and fellowshipped all the while. It was also interesting to see differences in Theology and the Biblical teaching of what’s in the root is in the fruit was clearly seen. God bless you as you journey! David