Missions and children. When a child catches a glimpse of the needs of the world, it is exciting to see. But for some busy moms, the very idea of trying to find ways to include missions in family life can be overwhelming. So here are some practical ideas that won't take much more time.
Host a missionary family. When a visiting missionary comes through your church, get to know them on a personal basis. Invite them over for a meal, a play date, coffee, or overnight, depending on what your schedule can handle. Don't worry about private bathrooms or even bedrooms for them. They are used to sleeping anywhere and will be delighted with the opportunity to be in your home.
Pray for missionaries as a family. You know those prayer cards that missionaries give out like candy? Keep them near the kitchen table. Grab one at supper and include them in your mealtime prayers. Or let your children keep some in their room and pray for them at bedtime.
Ethnic meal times. Three times a day and 365 days a year, meals are made. So every once in a while focus on a country for one night. Go online and find ideas for decorating and let the children help with decorating. Set the table (or the coffee table or floor) according to the traditions of the country. Many missionaries would be delighted to cook an ethnic meal for you in your home and provide eating instructions.
Learn geography together. When her children were small, my sister picked up some geography placemats. While she was preparing dinner and the children were hanging around the kitchen, she played geography games with them. "Who can be the first to find . . . ?" And the children raced each other to see who could find it first.
More ideas next time. If I put all my ideas into one blog, it would be overwhelming. If just one of these ideas work, you will be on the way to leaving an international mark on the heart of your child.
Host a missionary family. When a visiting missionary comes through your church, get to know them on a personal basis. Invite them over for a meal, a play date, coffee, or overnight, depending on what your schedule can handle. Don't worry about private bathrooms or even bedrooms for them. They are used to sleeping anywhere and will be delighted with the opportunity to be in your home.
Pray for missionaries as a family. You know those prayer cards that missionaries give out like candy? Keep them near the kitchen table. Grab one at supper and include them in your mealtime prayers. Or let your children keep some in their room and pray for them at bedtime.
Ethnic meal times. Three times a day and 365 days a year, meals are made. So every once in a while focus on a country for one night. Go online and find ideas for decorating and let the children help with decorating. Set the table (or the coffee table or floor) according to the traditions of the country. Many missionaries would be delighted to cook an ethnic meal for you in your home and provide eating instructions.
Learn geography together. When her children were small, my sister picked up some geography placemats. While she was preparing dinner and the children were hanging around the kitchen, she played geography games with them. "Who can be the first to find . . . ?" And the children raced each other to see who could find it first.
More ideas next time. If I put all my ideas into one blog, it would be overwhelming. If just one of these ideas work, you will be on the way to leaving an international mark on the heart of your child.
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