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The First Christian Church will feature special guests at its vacation Bible school July 26-30.

Mark and Barbara Stringer have been missionaries in Columbia since 1966, and are currently on a year-long visit to churches around America.

At First Christian Church's vacation Bible school, they plan to speak with the kids about their work in Colombia and missions in general.

In an e-mail to the Craig Daily Press, Mark wrote, "We will be talking to the kids about how children in other countries live and how fortunate they are to have been born in the United States. We will encourage them to think about doing things in life that will help other people, both here and in other countries."

Phyllis Meyer, the vacation Bible school director, said the reason churches exist are to spread the Gospel.

"Mark and Barbara put a face on that," she said. "Kids are fascinated by people going into different countries."

The Stringers have had a relationship with First Christian since their mission started. Mark stated that he loves coming to the United States and sharing all their accomplishments with the churches that have made them possible.

Their efforts in Colombia have resulted in 19 churches established, 2,000 people meeting weekly, two youth camps and a Christian school.

Mark stated that when he and his wife met in college they both had plans to serve God in Latin America. He explained that backlash from drug wars has many Colombians in need of spiritual guidance.

"Recently the (Colombian) government has stopped the fighting, and we are now helping people pardon each other from their hearts and renounce violence," he wrote.

They have adopted four Colombian children; two live in Colombia and two live in America. They plan on continuing their work in Colombia for another 10 years.

The Stringers will be staying with Dee and Iris Owens during their visit to Craig. They have been a host family before, but this is their first time in Craig.

Iris said they enjoy hosting because "you can learn about places you can't go."