We Lived!

Well, I took 7 youths on a mission trip and came back with all 7! Yeah! We went to the Heifer International Overlook Farm in Rutland, Mass. (just outside Boston). It was a great experience. The kids got to learn about, experience, and live as most of the rest of the world. There were morning and evening chores to do, which included taking care of the animals. We had service projects to accomplish on the farm, which kept us very busy. We also had learning sessions which focused on issues such as why are people poor and hungry, why can't they just grow more food or move or something, gender inequality and what it means, and the global distribution of wealth and resources. We even spent one whole day living, working, and eating in one of the global village villages. One part of our group was in the Peruvian village and one was in the Thai village. We had to barter for our food at the local market (what meager amount we could get), build a fire, cook it, and then eat. We spent the evening discussing various aspects of our village's culture and then spent the night in our village (out under the stars with the mosquitoes, spiders, skunks, and barn cats!). All in all, a very good learning experience. I would recommend it for others.