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