By Valerie Cressman  (as a follow-up to her article “Can Kids Be Missionaries Too?” in the June/July 2009 issue of Deeper)

After being home from our family mission trip to Nicaragua for quite some time now, I have looked back on our past year and have wondered how we can make these same experiences relevant and attainable for all families despite their stage or circumstances.  Here are a few basic foundations that this trip was based upon. I think all involved strongly believe that whether in Nicaragua or Ontario, the same principles and life lessons can be taught and experienced.

Prayer: consistent and constant

This was our life blood to all the preparations and expectations on everyone!  Listening to our kids get more comfortable praying out loud to Jesus was something I will never forget!  Towards the end of the trip we saw the kids drop everything in a stressful situation and present their requests to God. 

Are we modeling that consistent and constant prayer life that is vital to our day to day life?  Our children often repeat what they are seeing.

Sharpened Weapons:  fresh and applicable

Don’t worry, I am only speaking of the Word of God!  We specifically chose verses that dealt with all of our weaknesses and used them whenever we needed them.  We even came up with a code word to use when one of us needed the extra encouragement before it got ugly.

How is our Scripture Memory?  Do our own swords need sharpening?  Are we sharing our “battle victories” with our families?  

Focused Living: intentional decision making

I think we’d all agree that having a young family means that you are extremely busy!  Marriage, children, and activities demand our time, energy & attention.  Putting together a family mission statement that clearly states your family’s passions, priorities and purpose is a great filter when so much vies for your commitment. 

Realistic Expectations: letting kids be kids! 

While I am a firm believer in the saying “Expect much, receive much, expect little, receive little,”  I feel that having realistic expectations is vital to the overall health and vitality of a child’s life.  They don’t have the years of experience or maturity that we have, or the reasoning skills.  And when planning ministry opportunities like helping out at a soup kitchen or traveling to a foreign country, it is really good to understand that kids will still be kids.  They might spill a tray of food or carelessly flip over in a hammock and crack their head open…(true story).  Plan activities that are geared to your own child’s uniqueness or gifting areas.  Success in these types of things will lead to wanting to do more like it!

Are we looking for ways for our families to serve?  Are we considering our own families’ uniqueness and gifts when we try to plan these service projects?

 

If you are interested in learning more about our trip to Nicaragua, we kept a blog that you are free to check out! www.bluewaterbaptist.ca/nicaragua/Welcome.html

Do you have other questions about this trip or how we went about planning it?  Post a comment and ask away!