HOURS SERVED: 67

Day 1: Christchurch, New Zealand | Gap Fillers | 5 hours

Day 2: Christchurch, New Zealand | Gap Fillers | 5 hours

Day 3: Christchurch, New Zealand | Gap Fillers | 5 hours

Day 4: Ishinomaki, Japan | It’s Not Just Mud | 7 hours

Day 5: Ishinomaki, Japan | It’s Not Just Mud | 7 hours

Day 6: Ishinomaki, Japan | It’s Not Just Mud | 7 hours

Day 7: Ishinomaki, Japan | It’s Not Just Mud | 7 hours

Day 8: Dharamsala, India | Mountain Cleaners | 8 hours

Day 9: Dharamsala, India | Mountain Cleaners | 4 hours

Day 10: Dharamsala, India | Mountain Cleaners | 8 hours

Day 11: Dharamsala, India | Mountain Cleaners | 4 hours

 

I’ve heard a lot of people say that the key to life is serving others. Everyone I’ve heard say that is pretty smart. Why not give it a try?

A little while ago I decided to add a service element to my trip. There are really several reasons.

First of all, this is not a one-year vacation. I’m not taking off to party my way around the world. This adventure…this journey…is not going to be be all fun and games. It’s going to take some hard work; it’s going to pose some serious challenges for me in many different ways. Frankly, I’m mildly terrified.

Most importantly, I’m not going to be just floating along. Just like having a job, I’ve got things to do and take care of every day. I’ve got to have a routine. I’ve got a lot to learn. I need to learn about each country I plan to visit. What I want to see and do there. Who the people are. How they live. I need to know what I’m getting myself into.

What better way to learn about where I’m going than doing some local service work? Maybe it’s the Red Cross in one country, a local outfit in the next. Somewhere I can dig in and get my hands a little dirty. Bring a little something to the table.I’m not just visiting your country; I’m not just a tourist stopping through. I’m here to bring a little classic Chris Healy action to the party. Maybe it’s digging ditches, maybe something more. Who knows, maybe someone out there is in desperate need of an individual level recruitment skills workshop. Bonus!

In any case the plan is to hook in and do some local service work in at least six of the regions I visit. I think this will give me a chance to really learn about each place; to really meet some of the people and understand what it’s like there; to see and feel what another way of life is like. Shirley (anyone?) I’ll be able to meet some good people who can show me the way, offer advice and connect me with other good people along my path.

With any luck I’ll be able to connect with service outfits that can provide room and board for a few nights and I’ll have a place to stay when I arrive. Do some good work for a few days, them bam: I’m outta here, off to see what lies ahead.

I think SERVING OTHERS is going to make my adventure different. I probably don’t really know just yet how this part of my trip is going to affect me, but I have a feeling it will be significant..