enjoying community

it was a wonderful week in the swiss mountains. we went with over a dozen mama's and their children for a week long summer camp. it was definitely uncharted territory for us leaders as well as for the participating families. and it turned out to be a wonderfully blessed time we spent together. the kids were all ages (2-14 years old) and loved each other, played and laughed together.
starting out with the challenge of three strollers on the train, 3 different transverse... lots of luggage and we managed. the little town in the mountains was the best place for the week long stay. a wonderful fountain right in the middle of town, next to our group house was the welcome cooling place.

hiking and picnics, playing at the great madrisa play ground, after enjoying a long gondola ride, listening to stories and singing together, i feel so rich and glad to have been part of this camping week.
i have never been part of such a diverse group, in regards to nationalities. we were 16 families and represented 8 different nationalities.

every morning we were singing together, this was so joyful and really touched my heart. especially the kids, all of them chimed in, if not in german then in their mother tongue. with the guitar, clapping and pure joy of being together in fellowship.
lots of deep and personal conversations, learning from each other, be it about the child rearing, about personal struggles and the sharing our faith. what a blessed time, especially for those mamas which do not call the place they live their home land, but have are struggling with so many difficulties. i'm thankful for each of the ladies and their children, that they let me be part of their lifes, if only for one week...