Onward
Three days.
It's hard to believe that in just three days we'll be leaving Japan. What an incredible season this has been. Tokyo has exceeded every expectation, and somehow still managed to surprise us.
From wandering quiet neighbourhoods and bustling train stations to finding hidden corners that never make the guidebooks, we've packed so much into our time here. Looking back at our videos, it's amazing to see just how much we've experienced in what feels like such a short time.
Interestingly, we're starting to notice the very first hints of missing home. I wouldn't call it homesickness—at least not yet. Maybe it's more like the home sniffles, those little reminders that there are people, places, and routines waiting for us on the other side of the world.
Whether that grows into full-blown homesickness or simply fades as the journey continues, only time will tell. With so much of this year still ahead, we're keeping our hands open.
One of the biggest unknowns right now is Africa. We've been praying about what that part of the journey will look like. There's a possibility of spending some time working alongside the Maasai, which would be an incredible privilege, and of course we'd love the chance to experience some of Africa's remarkable wildlife. At the same time, travel has a way of reminding us that dreams are often balanced against budgets, visas, schedules, and countless logistics. We're trusting that the right doors will open if they're meant to.
One idea that's become clearer as we've travelled is the difference between a "once in a lifetime" trip and slow travel.
A once-in-a-lifetime mindset can create pressure to squeeze everything into every day, racing from landmark to landmark because you may never come back. Slow travel invites something different. It gives you permission to linger, to return to the same neighbourhood, to notice ordinary life, and to let a place become familiar instead of simply photographed.
We've found that some of our favourite memories haven't come from checking famous sights off a list, but from the quiet moments in between—the conversations, the unexpected discoveries, and the rhythms of everyday life.
As this chapter in Japan draws to a close, we're grateful for everyone who's been following along, praying for us, and sharing in the journey, whether quietly or from afar. It's easy to focus on numbers, but the real joy comes from knowing that even a handful of people are travelling with us in spirit and finding something meaningful in these stories.
Three days left in Japan. Then another chapter begins…in Europe.
Paris, here we come.
We honestly don't know exactly where every road will lead this year, and that's part of the adventure. There are still prayers to be answered, plans to be made, and surprises waiting around corners we can't yet see. We can't wait to discover what's next—and we're excited to bring you along for the journey.
Dawson
