Basic Trek: Venture Into a World of Enough: The Original 28-Day Journey

This book puts the American lifestyle in perspective with the world and challenges the reader to live a more responsible life for the environment and so that there will be enough for all people. The perspective is Christian (Mennonite), but a secular person will find the book equally accessible.I especially like the Appendix which is specific about what a responsible life in America looks like. For example, our homes ought to be occupied by one person for every 250 sq. feet toward sustainability.I also really like the anecdotes by Mennonites who have served in poor areas. It gives a sense of what life is like in other places and the reflections of the storytellers are easy to relate to. They are as amazed as any of us might be, and grapple to come to terms with our wealth juxtaposed to other's poverty and in some cases, suffering.There aren't many books that deal with these issues, and this one does it well.

This is a 28 day devotional journey. The first week invites you to a journey where you will find enough joy, the second week invites you to step out to explore enough simplicity, the third week you will lighten the pack in your search for enough to for yourself and the fourth week you will stay the course to discover enough for all.Each day starts with a story and a Scripture passage followed by reflection questions to consider and actions to try.To be a steward is to live a responsible life with an attitude that God gives me abundance. I have enough. I am enough. I can live with what I have.This reflective-action booklet invites the reader to participate in a responsible life style, to live simply. Here are summaries, randomly chosen, of two of the days: On Day 5Reflection: Earl Martin reflects on his effort to accumulate now so he could live a quality life later. But he finds something unsettling about that perspective. Question: "Will the amount of things I own continue to grow throughout my life, or will I eventually say, `that's enough/'"Action: "Spend an evening with one of your parents, a grandparent or other friend who has retired. Invite them to talk about the choices they made about how to spend their lives..."On Day 17Reflection: Max Ediger reflects on his experience being a guest with a Vietnamese family who is celebrating tet. He was served a "meal as though I were a king, in the palace of the poor."Question: What is required to treat someone royally?Action: "invite someone you would `never invite to my house' for a meal."In twenty-eight days, participants will have a counter-cultural experience that will invite you to see yourself and the world around you with new eyes. You can take the trek alone or together. It would work well on a retreat or with a small group. I encourage you to take the trek.