“Then Jesus asked them, ‘When I sent you without purse, bag or sandals, did you lack anything?’ ‘Nothing,’ they answered.”
— Luke 22:35
We came across this verse just as we were preparing for a 12-month trip to the Middle East to explore a sense of calling. It stopped us in our tracks. What would it really mean to travel with that kind of trust? To believe we would lack nothing—not just in theory, but in practice?
So we bought two small hand-luggage bags, and began the long process of lightening the load. Ten months of slowly putting things down, giving them away, selling them. Ten months of discovering what we actually needed—and what we didn’t. And underneath it all, a growing invitation to take a big faith step: to trust God to supply all of our needs—material, emotional, physical.
“God’s work done God’s way is never short of God’s supply.”
This line, originally from Hudson Taylor, was shared with us by our friend Emanuel Rucyaba in Uganda. It’s shaped much of how we’ve lived our lives until now. On this journey, it became our lifeline—a reminder that when we follow where God leads, His provision goes ahead of us.
You can read more about this in Unfamiliar Path, a book that unpacks this principle in deeper ways.
Throwing Off What Hinders
“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders… and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.”
— Hebrews 12
Travelling light is about more than what’s in your suitcase. It’s about shedding distractions and burdens so we can respond freely to the Holy Spirit. It’s about learning to live open-handedly—ready to go, ready to stop, ready to listen.
And after that first year? We returned to our home base and realised there was still more to let go of. Things we’d kept “just in case” no longer held value. They were easier to release. Why? Because we had seen God’s faithfulness firsthand.
We Lacked Nothing
Winter clothes we couldn’t carry? Donated by kind friends and strangers. Accommodation? Provided exactly when we needed it. Food, clothing, finances, cultural support, friendship, encouragement, protection—every need was met.
Like the Israelites in the desert whose clothes didn’t wear out over 40 years (Deuteronomy 29:5), we saw God’s provision in miraculous ways. We even watched food multiply after praying over it.
Fragile, But Cared For
We learnt vulnerability. We learnt to trust. We learnt that we are fragile—like the flowers of the field—but God knows how to care for and clothe us.
“Consider how the wild flowers grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you, not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these.”
— Luke 12:27
Now, more settled, we still carry that deep peace that comes with a “backpack lifestyle.” Every item we bring into our lives is held loosely. If God calls us to move again, we’re ready—trusting that He will rebuild, provide, and guide us wherever He leads next.
To quote another good friend of ours, we are committed to continue to live our lives ‘packed, and ready to stay.‘
Thinking of Moving Cross-Culturally?
Or maybe you’re returning from a season overseas?
We’d love to support you and your church as you navigate that journey. Visit www.unreached.network/pipeline to learn more.
You might also find this short reflection exercise—taken from our foundational training programme—helpful as you explore what it means to be uprooted.
