Thyon 2000

In January 1976, my family joined about 30 people from several different churches for a ski trip to Switzerland. The purpose of the trip was to meet with other Christians about how they worship and serve others. Several notable leaders would speak. We met at a ski resort in the Swiss Alps called Thyon 2000. The 2000 in the resort’s name referred to the elevation in the Swiss Alps; it was 2000 meters above sea level. I was 17 years old at the time and was still young in my Christian walk. The previous summer I spent traveling with a missionary through Mexico on the way to the Guatemalan border in Chiapas where I began my life of living by Faith. At that time, I was unaware of the danger I was in, being the only blonde-haired, light-skinned American in that part of the country. I later found out how God protected me. A civil war was brewing at that time between the Sandinistas and the Contras. The people I was with got word that a Sandista patrol had spotted me and was looking for me. They hid me at a ranch for the last part of the time we were there. I did not know why they kept me at the ranch until several years later. Finding that out really humbled me and strengthened my walk with Christ. I was naïve in many ways, but I had a heart for learning about Christian Faith.

Back to the ski trip in 1976; On the plane ride over the Atlantic Ocean, we got to know the people we were traveling with. One guy who seemed to know a lot about skiing was organizing ski runs around the vast expanse of Thyon. My brothers and I, who have been snow skiing for many years, sat back and watched with reservation as this guy was setting up the schedule of what and where to ski. He seemed to know ‘too much’ and was an authority about all things snow skiing. My brothers and I wanted to enjoy the ski trip and take each day as they happen, not be on a schedule.

When we landed in Geneva, I noticed some people new to skiing following this guy around. I also noticed that others were apprehensive about what this guy was saying and, like my brothers and I, kept their distance. The bus ride through the Rhone River Valley, then climbing up into the Alps, was picturesque. If I recall correctly, the bus ride was about 4 hours, with the last 2 hours spent climbing the steep Alps.

We arrived at Thyon 2000 the afternoon of our second day of travel. Most of us were tired and hungry, and others were itching to strap on skis and start exploring. We all waited until the next morning to ski, so we met for dinner and had a relaxing evening.

The next morning started with a meeting with everyone in our group, and one of the church leaders led with a short message and prayer. That was the first time I attended a ‘church’ session dressed in ski gear. I was ready to hit the slopes as soon as we could. I noticed something interesting as we lined up to rent skis: my brothers and I had ‘seasoned’ ski gear. I think what I wore was several years old, and I had not outgrown them yet. Others had the latest gear, and this was their first time skiing. We watched the guy who presented himself as an authority on all things snow skiing with interest. He had all new gear. When we were outside, my brothers and I clipped on our skis and were ready to head over to the ski lift. We noticed that the guy, the ‘all-knowing of everything snow ski’, could hardly stand up in the snow with the skis on. It was apparent that he had never been on snow skis before. The group of people who followed him around had a look of shock – they were expecting a seasoned skier to teach them the art of skiing. The rest of us took off to the lifts to have fun skiing in the Alps.

Later that day, I stopped in for a hot chocolate in the lodge and saw that guy sitting by himself. I felt sorrow for him. When the time came to prove himself, he couldn’t because he had never done this before. I sat across the lodge watching that guy and thought that you must be careful who you put your trust in, just because they are a good speaker and have leadership qualities, they may not have the first idea of what they are talking about.

I think about that from time to time. I am not a natural leader, so I have no idea what motivates leaders. I strive to excel at what I do instead of ‘climbing the peer ladder’. When I do excel at something, I try to give the glory to God. He is the one who gave me my talents, and He can quickly take them away.

In the photo is my family at Thyon 2000. My brother Johnny, me, Donny, Dad, and Mom