'They admitted that they were aliens and strangers on earth . . If they had been thinking of the country they had left, they would have had opportunity to return. Instead, they were longing for a better country . .' (From Hebrews 11:13-16)

When, in the creation story, Adam and Eve were turned out of the Garden of Eden, they were not turned out of an enclosed garden. They were turned into an enclosed wilderness, and became confined to the limitations of time and space. They saw things in physical proportions and felt overwhelmed. Their smallness made them feel meaningless.

God can turn this meaningless existence into a journey of hope. Abraham and Sarah left home and became too old to have children, but Abraham believed God's promise that he would have children as numerous as the stars he saw in the desert sky at night. They had one son of their own but many descendants, and countless spiritual children of Abraham and his God are still being born again today.

This issue includes several stories describing journeys of faith and obedience. One reports 'I changed my whole life's plans in two months'. Others have gone on journeys lasting a professional lifetime. Andrew Potter, working in Benin, visited colleagues in Nepal and found himself 'on a bit of a high'. Returning to his own work was 'Oh! so depressing'. Asking 'why are we here?' his answer on reflection was 'I am here to serve'. We hope the following pages will help you with some ideas for journeys of service.