Today we started a new ministry at the Anchor Center, called Kid's Klub. It is a high energy, fun-filled hour or so of ministry that we hope to do each Friday afternoon for the school age kids who pass by our center every day on their way home. Most of the ministry that we do at the neighborhood care points is geared toward preschool age little ones. We have been trying to implement something that would capture the hearts and souls of these older kids. We feel a burden to see to it that these kids understand they have a Father in heaven who loves them and desires a personal relationship with them. The ministry partners all really pulled together and worked on their own individual parts to make this event a alot of fun.

The kids file in and take their seats on the appropriate sides. Boys and girls are divided and the little ones sit near the front. We had praise and worship music playing to draw attention to what we were doing! There were about 120 kids that attended today...about twice as many boys as girls...which was interesting! There was alot of competition in how loud each group could sing! It all was music to God's ears!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

After much singing and dancing, we transitioned into Bible lessons on prayer. It was amazing to see how hungry these kids were for truth from the Word of God! Simonga taught how we can talk to God anytime and anywhere. He has such a gentle and kind way of relating to the kids...

 

 

A couple of the other ministry partners taught different object lessons, also on the power of prayer. The idea is to present the same idea in a few ways so the kids really understand it.

Each week there will also be a memory verse for the kids. Mapile and Nombali did a great job teaching the verse and helping the kids practice saying it.

 

 

Then...it was time for some good old fun and games! We had sack race relays:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

...there was also a fun "mummies" game where the kids split up into two teams to see who could wrap up Veli or Claire in toilet tissue more quickly. With 40 mph winds and very cheap 1 ply toilet paper...well...this game probably won't be repeated! The kids seemed to have fun anyway!

 

 

The kids loved watching the ministry partners being silly and really enjoy interacting with them in such a fun way! We were so proud of how engaged each of the partners were as they had fun teaching these crazy games to the kids! The glove/sock relay was hilarious...blindfold the partcipant and have them put on big work gloves first and then have to get socks onto their feet and then have to make their way down the aisle to tag the next person in the relay! Mxolisi demonstrates his skills:

 

 

It is such fun watching the kids laugh and learn together. We were so proud of all our Swazi ministry partners because the kids truly look up to them as leaders. These are their "big brothers and big sisters" and part of their community. They relate to them in a way we just can't. It certainly warms God's heart to see them leading the younger generation into a deeper understanding of who He is.

Kid's Klub takes alot of planning and work...however, after seeing the looks on the kids' faces and hearing their squeals of delight we are trusting it will be well worth the effort!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

So many of you commented on the last blog post, on culture shock, and what a struggle that has been. Your encouragment through emails, comments on the blog and promising to pray have been such a blessing.  Just as the kids in Nsoko were taught today: THERE IS POWER IN PRAYER! God is answering your prayers, and ours! Days like today go far in easing our transition to life here in Swaziland and reinforcing God's calling on our family to be here. He is such a good and faithful Father.

Please pray that Kid's Klub continues to grow and attract more children, so that they are introduced to the love and passion of that same good Father. He is crazy about them and He is crazy about you too...in case you needed to be reminded of that today!