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!
What a great idea. The look of joy on their dear faces is in deed priceless! Keep up the good work.
Luv,
Dawn H.
What a great idea. The look of joy on their dear faces is in deed priceless! Keep up the good work.
Luv,
Dawn H.
I am humbled to have you reinforce the message God gave me today. He answers prayer. He answered a hesitant prayer of mine today – I could not find the vacuum attachments. 🙂 In the past, I have prayed the kind of prayer where I am asking God to help me find something and have been continually amazed that He has frequently answered me immediately. (It shakes me a bit) Today I asked Him whether or not He wanted me to find the vacuum attachments, and I found them before I took another breath! I then asked Him, “If you answer a seemingly frivolous request like that, then why don’t you answer the bigger requests of healing?” Yet the question should truely be “If you answer a seemingly frivolous request like that, then why would You (God) NOT answer the bigger requests?” God does answer prayer. I believe that the answer God gave me today was that He will answer our prayers. He sees the big picture and knows the best way of answering. What if the person for whose healing we are praying will have an impact on someone else’s choice for Christ as the sick person goes thru their times of pain and suffering? Is that not worth the pain and suffering? Even if it means that the loved one that we pray for is taken from us and brought home to our Father? God answers prayer. Not always in our next breath, but sometimes in their last breath.
It’s like weekly VBS! I’m sure it’s going to make a big impact on the kids and as you say a great way for them to relate to your ministry partners.
I continue to pray for you and your ministry as I know that if I were in your shoes I would be totally overwhelmed. May God give you discernment as you plan and make use of your time and energies.
God bless all of you!
Marian Payne
Yeah for Kid’s klub, thank you for All you do in the Kingdom.
Praying that the Lord would strengthen you daily with His fullness.
Loads of love to you from FL.
What a great kick-off of a great program!! Thanks for all the hard work. By the looks on the faces it was well worth it.So glad to hear you are doing better. We will continue to pray for you all. Love!!!
Awesome you guys-the pics tell all. This looks like a great outreach to that intended age group. Hooray! Love to see so much coming together on this one! Excited to See you soon.