We were both feeling those symptoms of burnout and stress that had built up for some months : inability to concentrate, irritability, starting to worry over many things challenging us such as our own business activities as well as the seemingly bankrupt state of our own country’s economy and turning away from God……

We chose to go on a ski holiday with a Christian company (Richmond Holidays) for a week in January 2010. Our hearts were warmed by the ease of travel arrangements on Eurostar which took us almost right to the resort in the French Alps just a 30 minute minibus ride from the train station Bourg St Maurice, and we had no holdups.

The chalet was manned by Christian young people mostly on gap years from University or spending their time working in order to enjoy the experience of looking after guests in Christian fellowship and skiing as well.

We arrived just in time for the evening meal, introduced by one of the young team, and it was a delight to relax and share with like minded people of ages from about 18 to 75. The food was excellent all week.

Our Ministry Leader was 68 year old, fittest person on the holiday, David Gordon-Watkins, of Anglican persuasion, and we enjoyed the healing experience of prayer especially in the mornings before breakfast, but also in the evening ministries which included 1 Peter, hearing testimonies of various members of the group (one of whom moved us to think about Flame International working to bring the Word of God to Africa; one of whom had suffered abuse as a child and had recovered and was now helping others through similar ordeals), singing hymns, and on the last evening communion.

I had been severely challenged by what I saw as the unforgiveable corruption in our own country, the economic mess and the turning away from God which made the future look extremely bleak. Studying the small book 1 Peter 1 into 2 helped to refocus on God and His Will for the world in the face of evil. ‘He has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead……..In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a while you may have to suffer grief in all kinds of trials……Therefore prepare your minds for action; be self controlled; set your hope fully on the grace to be given you when Jesus Christ is revealed…Therefore rid yourselves of all malice and all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and slander of every kind. Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation, now that you have tasted that the Lord is good.’ .A reference to Psalm 46 was extremely helpful found by David Watkins:
‘Nations are in uproar, kingdoms fall; he lifts his voice, the earth melts……He makes the wars cease to the ends of the earth….Be still and know that I am God….The Lord Almighty is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress.’

Paul

And what about the skiing etc.

It was snowing when we arrived and most of the next day but the rest of the week, apart from one day when snow arrived late in the day, we mostly had blue skies and sunshine. There was a short walk from the chalet to the ski slope and chairlift each day but we could ski back right to the door of the boot room, which is how we like it. The new snow produced some wonderful powder skiing which is a fairly unusual experience for us but so much fun. We had excellent skiing all week; the pistes were often completely empty apart from our group and not once during the whole week did we have to queue for a lift. We were able to ski over into Italy a couple of days too. We both felt that our skiing improved or perhaps because the conditions were so good we were not severely challenged.

We opted for ski guiding and along with about 20 other guests, mostly of relatively mature years like ourselves, set off with Ben or Hannah for the day. They both looked after their groups with responsibility and confidence and made each day trouble free for us all as we didn’t even have to know where we were. Ben was 23 years old and Hannah just 19 years old. What a credit they are to their generation.

One evening we took part in a torchlight parade on skis. At the top of a short ski run we light our torches and then skied down to the bottom of the slope. It was a bit tricky without ski poles and with a burning torch in one hand. I expect it looked quite spectacular from the bottom. We were then able to warm up with hot chocolate or mulled wine.

The chalet was spacious and had a very well designed open plan social area with a bar, dining area and lounge area with a mezzanine floor for devotions or watching films. It was very attractive with all the wood floors, walls etc. Our room was not huge but perfectly adequate and comfortable with our own shower and facilities. There was also a small gym and sauna available.

The village of Les Eucherts where the chalet is situated was very pretty and had a few shops, mainly related to skiing, and we enjoyed a walk among the trees to the nearby village of La Rosiere.

The staff, all young Christians, were brilliant. They were always happy and often singing and we never heard any complaints. They were up to serve breakfast at 7.30 am and also served dinner at 7.30 pm. After that they had to clear away and wash up (by hand), serve at the bar and organise entertainment. During the day they had plenty of other chores including cleaning the rooms. They worked very long hours for little pay and at the end of the week they opted to give their tips for the week to the Haiti disaster fund. It was so refreshing to meet such positive, vibrant and enthusiastic, well behaved young people.
Hilary

We found Jesus at our crossroads, and He shone the light brightly.