FamilyFest, Kansas City, Kansas

The four-year-old stretched as high as he could, bubbles splashed down on his face as he stretched just one more inch on his tippy toes. The Ford F-150 was just too tall for him to wash it properly, but that didn't stop him from ministering to the community alongside his parents and older siblings.

The family took part in WMU's FamilyFest in Kansas City, Kansas, recently. The volunteer missions event attracted families from 10 different states to the metro area. They partnered with local churches in reaching the surrounding community.

Youth groups volunteered, too. Going from an all-adult volunteer team who meticulously painted the church sanctuary to 35 youth enjoying a good paint fight in the fellowship hall was a blast and kept the day very diversified. The youth made up songs throughout the week. My favorite (and their's, too) was the "Paint thinner" song -- only sung as you cleaned the paint brushes at the end of the day.

Besides helping the community, events like this help entire families minister together. Several families used this event as their family vacation. Parents said they wanted to teach their children about serving God and volunteering.

One 10-year-old boy, dripping wet from a water fight during the car wash, stopped talking to kids in the community long enough to answer my question about if he liked doing mission projects. "Are you kidding me?" he said. "Fun and God all mixed into one week. We have to come back next year. This is the best vacation EVER!"

On Stateside Assignment (furlough)

Hey All

Just a note to say that I'm in the States on Stateside Assignment (furlough). I'm taking it a year earlier than normal. I'm in Kansas. Let me hear from you guys! It will be good to catch up face-to-face!

Red River, New Mexico

The hills (and gushing river) were alive with the sound of music -- ah!

Took a nice relaxing vacation in Red River, New Mexico up in the Rockies. It was nice and cool.

I'm not much of a fisherperson, but I come from a family who loves to fish. I normally just take a book and enjoy the great outdoors -- or go hiking. This trip, however, I took up fishing.

Did you know that when you fish, you can stare off into nothingness, never use words but grunt instead, not take a shower for days and no one considers you off your rocker? I mean, you're not crazy -- you are considered a normal weekend warrior at the lake or river!

I caught a couple fish -- everyone else in the family caught MANY fish and big fish. Oh well - the view, peace and solitude was worth it all.

United States

Hey, Just a quick note to say I'm hanging out in the States for a couple of months. I'm taking a break from African conflicts. Hopefully, I'll be back home in June.

Thanks for reading up on my blog. I'll try to put some stuff up while I'm in the States.

Sue