by Dr. Larry R. Hygh, Jr. UM News.
I love to travel!
As a child growing up, I could not wait for summer break. I am the son of retired educators who always made sure we took a summer road trip. These epic adventures were sometimes with extended family, allowing us to journey and see sites across most of the United States. My parents inspired my love for travel and culture at an early age.
As a former United Methodist communicator, I have had the pleasure to serve in ministry and live in Boston, Mass.; Jackson, Miss.; Washington, D.C.; Los Angeles, Calif.; New York City; and Sacramento, California. I grew up in Marshall, Texas.
A few years ago, I counted all of the U.S. states to which I had journeyed and set a goal to visit all 50 states before my 50th birthday. Earlier this year, I celebrated my 48th birthday and soon thereafter boarded a flight to visit the last of the 50 states for me: Idaho—two years ahead of schedule. It is hard to describe how amazing an experience it was to land in Boise and exit the plane knowing that I have now been to all parts of the United States.
On those fun and inspiring childhood road trips, my parents took us to amusement parks, museums, state and national parks and historic sites, and we always visited colleges and universities along the way. These are still ‘must-see’ items on my list everywhere I journey. We ate local food and delicacies and spent money with local businesses.
I enjoy spending time outside and in nature, and I have seen God’s presence. God is present in all of His creation in the continental United States from the Atlantic to the Pacific Ocean, the Hawaiian Islands to Alaska. God is present, and one can see God’s handiwork in cornfields, on top of mountains, in the concrete and graffiti in urban areas, and on rural roads.
When I travel and meet people, I hear the words of Psalm 24: “The earth is the Lord’s and all its fullness, the world and those who dwell therein.”
I have met people from all walks of life. I have met folks from faith communities and traditions different from my own, different theological views, different political values, various cultures, and across the socio-economic spectrum. As a fifth-generation Methodist and a person of deep faith, I have found that my travels have underscored that we are all created in God’s image. We approach life’s journey, viewing through different lenses, but we are all created uniquely in God’s image.
Across this nation, I have met people of faith who are doing their best to encourage and to make even better the communities where God has placed them.
In the summer of 2021, I traveled to Montana. In Billings, I went on a horseback trail ride on a family-owned working cattle ranch. I remember riding along this majestic trail and the enjoyable conversation I had with the couple who were our guides, and whose family owned the ranch. We could not have been more different. We were on opposite ends of the political spectrum. (Yes, I am one of those people who talks about politics and religion.)
What I remember most about our conversation was my revelation that although we are different, we are alike in areas that matter most on life’s journey. We all have dynamic family legacies that we are trying to honor in the ways in which we live, and show up in the world. We also love our families and want the best for them, and we want our communities to thrive.
Life’s journey has taken me to 31 countries and six of the seven continents. My next goal is to step foot on my final continent, Antarctica, two years from now as I celebrate my 50th birthday.
One of my favorite quotes about travel comes from the late celebrity chef, author and travel documentarian Anthony Bourdain (Parts Unknown was my favorite television show). Bourdain said: “Travel changes you. As you move through this life and this world, you change things slightly. You leave marks behind, however small. And in return, life and travel leave marks on you.”
I encourage you to travel, explore diverse cultures, eat new-to-you food, visit local sites, support local businesses and meet someone who is different from you. Let travel change you on your faith journey.
(Hygh is a lifelong United Methodist, fifth-generation Methodist, and former United Methodist communicator, who is now an assistant professor at California State University, Dominguez Hills. He is the chair of the governance board at Hollywood United Methodist Church and worships at their Toluca Lake campus.)
