"This was the best day ever," announced Ian on our way back to dinner at MTI. After four weeks of sitting in classes, driving, eating strange meals, and being surrounded by people we don't really know that well, today was a wonderful family day.

After a continental breakfast in the MTI building, we headed out for the Manitou Cliff Dwellings Museum.  We all enjoyed climbing through the pre-Columbian "town" built into the side of a cliff using bricks. Unlike what you would expect from an archeological site, everything was "hands on." After climbing in, round, and through the dwellings, we watched two Native American men demonstrate three social dances. They danced a friendship dance that would be done when two tribes met each other, a dance honoring the eagle, and a hoop dance. The young children were then invited to join them in a simple dance. The master of ceremonies told the children not to be afraid because, "we no scalpem no more." That short phrase, intended to encourage the children, caused strong emotions to well-up in Brenda, and reminded me of the intense clash of cultures and the way Europeans dominated the Native Americans. I know that everything is different but it helped drive home the point that we will experience a clash of culture when we get to Croatia and that we need to conform, wherever appropriate, to their culture instead of trying forcing hours on them.

While there, the kids each got a t-shirt!

After about two hours, we left the cliff dwellings. We stopped in a park and had a picnic lunch. It was nice to be able to enjoy that as a family without feeling rushed to do anything or be anywhere.

With bellies filled, we headed off for Cheyenne Mountain Zoo .We leisurely walked through the entire zoo; petting girafes, oohing over a baby gorilla, taking in the view of Colorado Springs, and generally enjoying all of the animals. We even had a snack at the Colobus Cafe.

This really was a special day for us. Not only did we enjoy doing all of this as a family but we didn't have to concern ourselves with how much it cost our family. While we were at SEND for MOP, somebody left an envelope in the mailbox for us. In that envelope was an anonymous letter that read:
   

Dear Mike and Brenda,

This is not for your ministry, but for your family. Use it however you wish! May it be a blessing to you as you are a blessing to so many. 

Along with the letter, there was $100 in the envelope. I can only hope and pray that we are a blessing to others, but to the person or family who gave us this gift I can say without doubt that you blessed our family with a wonderful day.

Thank you.