Seriously... I get to work in some stunningly beautiful locations!
12 peopled gathered this past week to think strategically about how to most effectively share the hope of Christ with 14-25 year-olds in Western Europe. Most of us arrived Sunday and went for a hike Monday morning up in the Swiss Alps around Tannenheim. This is about 1 hour outside of Zuerich and up to an altitude of about a mile. Similar to Denver, Colorado.
I think there are few things better than an activity like hiking together to watch group dynamics. Deb fell during the first leg of the hike and had to remain behind. This was very sad because she more than anyone LOVES to hike in the mountains. We went on and I was blessed to know that even when we were gaining altitude quickly and I could not catch a breath, the guys did not leave me in the dust, but instead took care to make sure I was okay to continue before the group continued. It was a good time together. I recall during the time that I worked with DELTA Ministries that we used a reading during training to get this point across. It was called "Together" and it chronicled the journey of a bunch of classmates who all set out to go for a hike together. Along the way some ran on ahead and some fell behind and through it all they learned that they really do need each other to be able to do this thing together. That reading, 15 years later, still impacts my life.
The day after the guys left, Deb and I drove up into the higher alps and this was the view... just a little bit lower than the previous photo. The hiking group actually hiked the Spazierweg that this sign points out. :-)
The day after the guys left, Deb and I drove up into the higher alps and this was the view... just a little bit lower than the previous photo. The hiking group actually hiked the Spazierweg that this sign points out. :-)
The 4 days consisted of time in the Word together, Singing worship to the Lord together, Praying together, thinking together, preparing meals together, Praying for each other, and Planning together. All with the purpose of following our Shepherd where He would lead us in this ministry.I lift up my eyes to the mountains. Where does my help come from? My help comes from You, oh Lord, the Maker of heavan and earth.
Beautiful office view (I'm a bit envious, I get a bird feeder. Not a bad second.)!! Glad it was a good time for you to plan for future ministry. Melanie B.
ReplyDeleteWOW! I'm jealous for sure! Oh, I hope Deb is ok. I just hiked Angel's rest today. The big leaf maples are yellow, the vinemaples are fire red and yellow and everything else is a shade in between the two others. It was really windy up there, but so peaceful. Great photos.
ReplyDeleteGod is amazingly beautiful in His creation, isn't He? If I was where you were, I would probably gaze at the mtns for quite a while, read Scripture and definitely sing in worship! What a cool thing that you had that opportunity to go and do that training!
ReplyDelete