Two months.
I have two months left on this journey of a lifetime.
Some people say you have to leave home to “find yourself”. I’ll admit I have learned a lot about myself, but I have never felt that far from home. Sure the occasional Chick-fil-a craving would creep up, but when you learn to view the world as your home and the people in it as your brothers and sisters, things don’t seem that foreign.
Traveling is more than plane hopping from country to country, and being a missionary is more than passing out Bibles in Africa.
To travel is to learn, and to be a missionary is to love.
I have learned more about the world that could be taught in any classroom and I have learned more about God’s love that could ever be taught from a pulpit.
The World Race was not a year off, an easy way to travel the world or a year long vacation.
It was the hardest year of my life. But, it has been the best year of my life.
I have learned what things really matter, and to laugh at things that don’t.
I have learned a smile and a hug can change everything.
I have learned to love like you will never get the chance to love again.
I have learned to see and accept people for who they really are.
I have learned that no matter what country you are from, how old you are, or what you have been through, people still yearn to be loved and accepted.
I have learned to give thanks for sunshine, and dance in the rain.
I have learned that competency does not come from within, but from Above.
I have gotten a glimpse of the world Jesus sees every day. I have learned to look with His eyes, and love with His heart.
The best part of this journey is it doesn’t end on December 6th when I step on American soil. The journey has just begun. I get to take what I have learned and spread it to the ends of the Earth. And I plan to start doing that shortly after I get home.
My sister and I are planning a ten day trip to Haiti in December. Her friend from school is living there as a full time missionary. We are taking an opportunity to go and partner up with her and encourage the work she is doing.
In January, I am going to the Dominican Republic with my dad and sister for a little over a week. My parents and sister are planning on moving there in April to be full time missionaries. In January, we are going with the organization they will be working with to bring God’s love to Haitian refugees living there.
I ask that you prayerfully consider partnering with me for these trips. I will need a lot of prayer from you. Adding two countries to this trip will most likely be tiring, but very worth it.
I also ask that you consider partnering with me financially. I will be trying to raise $1,000 for both of these trips. If you would like to support me, please send checks to:
Erin Hogan
1725 Keysville Bruceville Rd.
Keymar, MD 21757
To keep track of donations, please email me at [email protected] if you decide to support me.
Thank you so much for everyone who supported me to go on the Race, and for all of the prayers.
I look forward to seeing and talking to a lot of you in December!
