After skipping out on the Lenny Kravitz concert and heading to bed around 9, we got up this morning at 11…well rested.  We hopped back on the train that took us back towards the lake and downtown.  For lunch, I had a tomato-mozzarella sandwich and banana from a kiosk in the city center area, reminded me of Union Station in NYC.  We sat by a fountain, enjoying what was likely a NYC hotdog equivalent preparing ourselves for another day.  After finishing up we walked to the Swiss National Museum.  The museum was essentially a walk through time from Creation to present day history.  We got a kick out of the prehistoric history section consisting of a VHS version of Jurassic Park and a few toy dinos

aurs.  Further on, they had artifacts and pieces dating back to ancient periods (i.e. jewelry, ceramics, tools).  The exhibit went on to reveal historical pieces such as military/arms, artwork, politics, etc.  We also went into another church and were able to have some great God time just sitting in the presence of such an ancient place.

After that we made our way back towards the lakefront.  Dan and Trevor went and found a café for some time to read and spend in fellowship as Chadwick and I walked down along the lakefront.  Along the lake, there is like a canopy from the trees with various grass lawns to rest on.  We realized today was a holiday, so there were a lot of people out and about.  I later went back to read that it is Whitmoday; a holiday as part of the three baptismal seasons.  It was interesting to note today how hardly no one walks alone.  You don’t see anyone with their head stuck in their cell phones or ears clogged with headphones.  People are consistently in one another’s fellowship and company.  If they are alone, many are sitting, people watching and in no rush.  I like this.  Chadwick and I found a stretch of lawn and spent some time relaxing and reading (another day of great weather).  We got up from there and continued down the lakefront.  We came upon these rocks that had been perfectly placed creating small towers.  These things had to be glued together; there was no way!  I went up and touched the top of one only for the top rock to wiggle.  Quickly backing away, we realized that a guy had put these 15 some towers together and bris

kly walked on our way.  Since the boat ride the day before, I had been eager to feel how cold the water was.  We found a good area to place our feet in.  Well I didn’t think it was too bad so I slipped my sandals and shirt off and hopped right in for a full swim.  It was frigid but very refreshing.  The water was so clean!  After fooling around for a little bit and causing young children to beg their parents to allow them to follow, we made our way back towards Dan and Trevor.

When we came upon Dan and Trevor sitting out in front of a café, there was a young boy with his family chasing around his dad and reaching for something in his hand.  The father handed the boy the small item only for us to realize it was a cigarette.  The boy, no older than 3, began walking around his family huffing and puffing.  His older brother would come up to him and blow off the ash, and then the boy would explode into a screaming/crying tangent.  As the 3 year old continued smoking, the family tried to get the boy to walk over to a group of girls with it and join them in a smoke.  I was just waiting for him to start drinking a beer.

After sitting for a while and doing some discussing about our plans for the clinics, we got up and headed through the crowed alleyways searching for a place to grab some food.  We wanted something authentic so we found a Swiss fondue restaurant.  I had a bacon and plum brandy flavor, which was quite interesting.  I’ve learned to keep my Nalgene on me for water, because their tap water is bottled and can be expensive.  Though the meal was a little pricier, Trevor put it best in saying that it was an authentic experience.  Our waiter informed us on the history of Swiss fondue, as well as sharing with us the best place to get some gelato.  After grabbing some, we headed back to the hotel.  There is a sort of recreation park down from our hotel consisting of basketball and tennis courts and about four soccer fields.  Trevor and I went for a run through some of the neighborhood and then hit the soccer field for a little workout.

Overall, today was great!  We had an idea of where we were, what trains to take, and where interesting places were to eat.  This made our time a lot more enjoyable.  It’s nice to not necessarily be on a strict routine, running from place to place, trying to experience the entire city in a couple days.  Being able to just relax, sit in one another’s company, and realize you can’t understand anyone around you makes it an adventure in itself.  Tomorrow our flight leaves for Toulouse, France, we will have the opportunity to meet with the Jr. National Team and observe some.  I am really looking forward to the opportunity to teach those guys and engage with them on and off the field.

Galatians 4: 6-7

6Because you are sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, “Abba, Father.”  7So you are no longer a slave, but a son; and since you are a son, God has made you also and heir.

 

…Beloved Son