L'Abri and a Salt Mine

Have you ever heard of an apologist named Francis Schaeffer?  In the 50's, he founded a community titled "L'Abri", French for "The Shelter", where students wrestle with questions involving all of life, which has spread into other countries including the US.  Through his books, he has influenced many and is best known for his "How Then Shall We Live" video/book series.  So, today, we went to church at the original L'Abri in Huémoz, Switzerland.  They broke down John 1:1-18.

Following lunch, we decided to tour a salt mine.  After a 15-minute intro video (in French), we crammed into a cramped electric train and clanked a mile into the Salt Mines of Bex where we were over 400 m below ground.  Stooping under low ceilings, we explored the history of salt mining.  Salt, at one point, had more value than gold.  They used to just hammer and chisel away at the rock, progressing vewy, vewy swowly.  Now they can drill down at 10-15 meters a day.  When they find a salt vein, they shove a tube that spouts high-pressure water and saturates the salt, transforming the salt into brine.  Then, through holes above the main, water emitting hole, they draw up the brine.  They then evaporate the water and harvest the salt.  The salt mines are always at 17˚ C, but if it were not for dehydrated gypsum, the temperature would be a chilling 12˚ C.  The dehydrated gypsum sucks water out of the air, which has 80% humidity, but emits heat, bringing the temperature up to 17˚ C.

The view over the chapel at L'Abri

Family pic with a beautiful view!

Proof that we've been to L'Abri

Cramped train car and 19% oxygen

Except that it would be pounds and pounds of salt.

At the end of the rails

Today, we learned about being the salt of the earth and then we visited the salt in the earth!

(If you want to learn more about Francis Schaeffer and L'Abri, here is their website - <http://www.labri.org>)

At the end of the rails.