The Hills are Alive
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For weeks around here we've been listening to yodeling music, eating fondue, and researching the best in Swiss chocolates. We've also been developing curriculum, gathering craft supplies, and making travel arrangements for sixteen.
Why?
Because today we're heading to Switzerland!
The three of you (Mom and my sisters) who read my blog already know this, but just in case someone out of the ordinary should pop by while we're gone, I thought I'd leave a little explanation.
We are going to Switzerland not only to see what I've heard is the most beautiful place on earth, but also to help out some folks by doing what's called a short term missions project. Short term because we'll only be gone about 11 days, but it's still considered missions.
I know what you're thinking because all of our friends have already given us the business. "Oh sure, 'missions trip' to Switzerland. Tough gig!"
Well, the way we look at it, someone's got to go, and it might as well be us. All five of us.
Several months ago our church announced the short term missions trips for this summer. When they announced that the Switzerland trip would be families and still needed someone to lead the trip, my husband and I looked at each other and said, "We can do that. Piece of cake." (What were we thinking?)
What will we do in Switzerland, you ask? We will be leading a week-long program for children of missionaries, all of whom live in undisclosed locations. They are taking a break from their very difficult work to get away, to have a conference together, and to spend some time relaxing, hopefully. Our role will be to care for their children from 9:00 a.m. until 6:00 p.m. every day. We have a VBS program planned for the morning time, and in the afternoon we'll take some of the kids on "excursions" or provide activities for them at the conference site.
It's probably not your typical "missions" trip, but we are still serving and, hopefully, providing some respite to some very important people. And we're hoping to teach our children that service, in whatever form it takes, is a necessary and vital part of our Christian life.
I'm sure I'll have lots of great stories to tell, but it probably won't be for a couple of weeks since my kids start school the day after we return. How's that for timing?!
Why?
Because today we're heading to Switzerland!
The three of you (Mom and my sisters) who read my blog already know this, but just in case someone out of the ordinary should pop by while we're gone, I thought I'd leave a little explanation.
We are going to Switzerland not only to see what I've heard is the most beautiful place on earth, but also to help out some folks by doing what's called a short term missions project. Short term because we'll only be gone about 11 days, but it's still considered missions.
I know what you're thinking because all of our friends have already given us the business. "Oh sure, 'missions trip' to Switzerland. Tough gig!"
Well, the way we look at it, someone's got to go, and it might as well be us. All five of us.
Several months ago our church announced the short term missions trips for this summer. When they announced that the Switzerland trip would be families and still needed someone to lead the trip, my husband and I looked at each other and said, "We can do that. Piece of cake." (What were we thinking?)
What will we do in Switzerland, you ask? We will be leading a week-long program for children of missionaries, all of whom live in undisclosed locations. They are taking a break from their very difficult work to get away, to have a conference together, and to spend some time relaxing, hopefully. Our role will be to care for their children from 9:00 a.m. until 6:00 p.m. every day. We have a VBS program planned for the morning time, and in the afternoon we'll take some of the kids on "excursions" or provide activities for them at the conference site.
It's probably not your typical "missions" trip, but we are still serving and, hopefully, providing some respite to some very important people. And we're hoping to teach our children that service, in whatever form it takes, is a necessary and vital part of our Christian life.
I'm sure I'll have lots of great stories to tell, but it probably won't be for a couple of weeks since my kids start school the day after we return. How's that for timing?!
