Of Unicorns and Rainbows

As we researched all things Slovenian one thing came through loud and clear – Slovenia is a beautiful place, almost unreal in its lush vegetation, clear blue lakes, gorgeous mountain vistas, castles everywhere and a beautiful coastline. To people born and raised in the American West such imagery is almost magical.

Jayne and I had a lot of questions about the weather, the food, and a host of other topics, including what do people do about cell phones, clothes, what to bring along. We like to research topics as we review what is going on in the world, so it was no surprise that we looked into what other missionaries, both senior couples and young missionaries, have said about Slovenia. We found individual blogs and a clearing house for missionary blogs run by private third parties. So naturally we checked out what senior couples were saying about their missions in the Adriatic North Mission. We heard about missionary apartments near ice cream stores and outdoor seating by the river flowing thorough the downtown with cobblestone streets.  

We read one couple’s blog from start to finish when the couple came home last year. They served in another part of the mission and talked about the general conditions in that country and how they enjoyed working with the people there. They visited Slovenia for a special occasion and noted its particular beauty. They mentioned that the young missionaries called it the land of unicorns and rainbows because it was such an idyllic place. We were struck with that imagery and so a title for our mission blog was born.

As we have talked about our mission in all sorts of settings, it is amazing the people we have found who have been to Slovenia and they all agree that the Unicorn and Rainbow imagery really applies. It, and all the countries in our mission seem to be a special part of God’s creation. We know that missions are not vacations and that work, even hard work will be necessary. We've learned a lot from Skyping with couples who are there now and from talking to our mission president.We are sure that we will be stretched spiritually, physically and mentally. We welcome the challenge and look forward to serving the Lord. It will just be in the Land of Unicorns and Rainbows.

There might even be fireflies.