Maybe you're still trying to decide what to do when school is out. Here are some options for spending the summer months providing your kids with an on mission adventure.
Host a pool partyInvite your kids' class. As families arrive have them write their names and some contact info on slips of paper for a special prize drawing. Provide water, treats, your favorite Christian tunes. At the end of the party, hold the drawing for a prize of a cool kid's movie or book. Then send each family home with a party favor of crayons, stickers, and information to contact you and your church. Follow up with parents throughout the summer. As you show interest in them and their children, they'll show interest in what you have to say about Christ.
Take a family mission trip NAMB offers a week-long family mission opportunity to model an on mission lifestyle for children and grandchildren. This is an opportunity to expand the reach and vision of your family as you participate in devotions, missions awareness, mission projects, worship, family small-group discussions, and interaction with resident missionaries and the community. Visit www.namb.net/fom.
Join a resort outreach Connect with a resort missionary or ministry where you're already going on vacation. Throughout the year NAMB missionaries are sharing Christ on ski slopes and beaches, in national parks and at North America's top resorts. Through special events, acts of kindness and even poolside personal evangelism, people are being reached at their most receptive time. Visit www.namb.net/missionaries or search for "resort missionaries" on NAMB's homepage. Also visit www.thebridge.namb.net for volunteer requests from missionaries serving across North America.
Engage in random acts of kindness Take your kids on a trip to the local pool or park with a load of water, snacks, gospel tracts, your church's information and the best way to contact you. The night before help them make a "Snack Break" poster. At the busiest time of day, set up your snack stand out of the back of the van or trunk and allow your children to invite people over for a snack break.
Visit other cultures Every year thousands of refugees enter the major metropolitan areas of the United States with great need. Through the efforts of relief agencies and NAMB missionaries, churches are able to meet the needs of refugee families by providing food, clothing, furniture and even financial assistance. This is a great opportunity to expose children to other cultures and the great needs around the world. To connect with a refugee ministry, talk to your missions pastor, local association or state convention or visit www.namb.net and search for "refugee resettlement." To learn about the nations in your community visit www.peoplegroups.info.