Missions week comes around and I'm scrambling trying figure out how teach kids about missions without just lecturing them about far away places they've never heard of.

Last year was disaster. Found worksheets online about different countries. Kids colored flags learned couple facts. Emma asked why people in Africa don't just buy food at grocery store like we do. Tommy wanted know if missionaries have WiFi.

Realized they had zero clue what missions actually means or why anyone would leave home help people somewhere else. Just seemed like weird grown-up thing that didn't connect to their real lives.

This year tried different approach. Instead talking about missions did missions. Right here. With real problems they could actually see and touch and understand.

We did shoeboxes for homeless shelter downtown instead just Operation Christmas Child. Kids could actually visit and meet people who would get their boxes.

Emma brought her favorite stuffed animal wanted add to box. "Because maybe someone's really sad and needs something soft hug."

Way more meaningful when kids can connect gift to actual person instead abstract idea.

Set up refugee simulation game. Kids had to carry everything they "owned" in small bag. Wait in long lines for basic needs.

Sounds maybe too heavy for kids but they totally got it. Started understanding why families risk everything for safety.

Mike's son asked if we could help real refugees. Led to partnership with local resettlement agency.

Did water walk challenge. Kids had to carry water containers from parking lot to building. By end everyone tired complaining about how heavy water is.

Then showed pictures kids their age walking miles every day just to get dirty water. Emma immediately wanted know how we could help.

Took kids to food bank help sort and distribute. Tommy shocked that some people didn't have enough food. Started asking why.

What doesn't work is just talking about missions without doing anything. Kids tune out abstract concepts.

What actually works is hands-on activities where kids actively help real people with real needs they can see and visit.

For ministry leaders discovering that doing beats talking, teachers learning kids connect better with local needs than far away facts, anyone ready to stop lecturing and start serving.