Jeff's Journal

Last week, Tracy and I took eight middle schoolers

   to Heifer Project International on a mission trip.

Our goals were to allow them to learn how the

   world works when it comes to food and resource

   distribution and how Heifer helps build

   sustainable economies through the gifts of

   livestock to villages in other countries.

My goals were also to become better

   acquainted with our young people

   and have fun in the process.

Well, they are great fun.

   And at the wrap up evaluation,

   one of them said, "I really got to know

   Jeff better." Goal achieved.

Middle schoolers are

   sometimes wild,

   have mood swings that are unexplainable,

   can zing you pretty good. When I was ready

   to jump off a nine foot platform into a lake,

   one said, "Oh, Jeff, you are so old, you might

   have a heart attack." I didn't. But I did say,

   "You'd feel bad if I did."

We tried to limit cell phone usage.

   One evening, they wanted their cell phones

   at about 9 p.m. We struggled with this one —

   these things are purely addictive. We offered

   them 10 minutes to call or text home. A few

   practically revolted, until the option was

   10 minutes or nothing. They took the 10 minutes.

Some people looked at me as if I was crazy to want

   to spend a week with eight middle schoolers.

Well, let me tell you, it was glorious. They are bright,

   fun, trying to grow up and a thousand other things.

I  would do it again in a minute.

Tracy organized a fantastic experience for them and

   did a fabulous job on the first mission trip she has

   ever led.

Moving to the deeper places,

Jeff