"We travel. But why? What kinds of journeys are driven more by purpose than by pleasure? And how does an outward journey impact the inward journey of our souls? What is the root of our restlessness, and where might it lead? Douglas Brouwer turns to illuminating questions like these to look at all our experiences of travel - exploratory vacations, pilgrimages, mission trips, and more - through a reflective, spiritual lens. Partly memoir, these pages are also infused with the secular and sacred wisdom of others. What shines through are the experiences of this well-traveled pastor that have transformed his life and will enrich any reader who sets off on a journey."

Wesley Granberg-Michaelson, General Secretary Emeritus of the Reformed Church in America and the author of Without Oars: Casting Off into a Life of Pilgrimage

"In a true journey of the soul, Douglas Brouwer paints an exquisite portrait that echoes my own experience of leading pilgrimages to the Holy Land - not as a mere journey across continents, but as a profound voyage of spirit. From the sacred stones of the Holy Land to the remote corners of the world, this book traces the footsteps of pilgrims past and present, each journey woven with faith, purpose, and a desire to seek both within and beyond. Through the lens of mission trips and sacred travels, Brouwer shows us that the act of pilgrimage is not only about the places we visit but the transformation that unfolds along the way. This is a book that will stir the soul, beckoning us to explore the deeper meanings of travel, to walk in the footsteps of the divine, and to serve with open hearts wherever we are called."

Rick Ricart, Founder and President of Imagine Tours & Travel

"This book is an adventure. Invited in by personal stories, this well-crafted book drew me to explore my own thoughts and experiences. That's because Douglas Brouwer's honest commentary on his growth allows others to look honestly at their process. I was very impressed by the amount of research into various views of travel, which added significantly to broadening my own understanding and provided a solid base for further discussions. There were two bits of writing that caught my attention. One was Doug's quote of Thomas Merton's words spoken close to the end of his life. In essence they were: We are all one but imagine that we are not. The other was a comment made about a self-discovery of his own. He came to understand that one of his gifts was being able to listen. I experienced this quality a few years ago when he listened, over long emails, to my own processing of finding the book I was wanting to write. His ability to hear my personal travel into that book allowed it to happen - a gift from a fellow traveler."

Judith E. Bowen, author of The Mystical Symphony, A Memoir of Healing, Vision and Wonder

"As researchers have documented, and as Douglas Brouwer has experienced, human experience in varied cultures expands people's perspectives, curiosity, creativity, and empathy. In this memoir of his own life travels - from family vacations to mission trips to pilgrimages to ministering in varied states and nations - he explores lessons learned. And he bids us to consider how we, too, by travels beyond our comfort zone, might grow in spiritual and cultural understanding."

David G. Myers, social psychologist and author of How Do We Know Ourselves: Curiosities and Marvels of the Human Mind