It's finally here!
All the paper, prep, and prayers has brought us to the moment where we opened the gates and let the kids rush in! We welcomed over a 120 kids today!! So before I share our different experiences from the team, I wanted to share what today was all about. Those 120 kids about only 20-25 actually truly know Jesus and have them in their lives on a daily, the rest were hearing about Him the first time today or are coming back to Holiday Club and hearing about Him again at this time only during the year.
So we talked today about the Gifts that God has given us whether they be sports, singing, dancing or any other gift/talent you have either naturally born with or learned skill, they all come from above. We then need to take those gifts and use them for the good of God and others, like in a team. So, we talked about Joseph and how he was given the gift of dreams to know how to interpret them but how he got a little Big headed and his "Team" brothers didn't like that so they sold him off as a slave, and when we fast forward to the end of his story we find out that Joseph had a lot more hardship in Egypt but God was there through all of it with a bigger plan. In the end Joseph saved many lives and when he meets his brothers again and they ask for his forgiveness and he says "You intended to harm me, but god intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives." Genesis 50:20 (memory verse for the day)
From Annette "First day of HC was a success! Even with a couple leaders out ill. About 125 children from the area attended to join the groups red, yellow, green and blue. We learned a dance, Bible verse, decorated biscuits, made newspaper pillars(?) and played games. The children and their British accents melt our hearts."
Brooke "I noticed that there was a positive feel and all my children were very curious. I felt like it was my immediate purpose all over again and the intention was to bring them to one common goal to learn more about the bible and Jesus. That also reflects all the things that help us to use the gifts He has given all of us and how we can show others we are the same and Lord is doing it for us. I hope that as the rest of the week goes on the children will remember me after I'm long gone and to share Jesus' message with anyone they can."
Alicia "We had 39 kids and they were fantastic. They asked questions, several kids read and practiced verses and we’re looking forward to tomorrow. One wished she could come back to church after Holiday Club but wasn’t sure if she could. I don’t think she goes to church anywhere."
Michelle "I’m in the second youngest set of kids and with a little instruction (telling them to throw quickly and them taking turns throwing during the game) they beat all age groups.
The kids didn’t seem to notice our American accents and asked for help when needed.
I lead the recap lesson in small group time for 10 or 11 kids and the kids knew all of the answers; which shows they absorbed the story and skit earlier."
Blake "We played a game to test our teamwork by coming together to see who could build the tallest tower using only newspaper and cello-tape (packing tape) and initially it was madness, but in the end we had a group of kids embrace the challenge and really pull through as a team and it just made me so happy that they're just jumping in on the theme and hopefully at the same time it's sinking in that God is in charge of it all."
I am in the Blue group (5th-6th graders) at Holiday Club, which means it can be a little harder to connect with them but the moment I showed up in my Captain Ketchup outfit (the superhero I play, I'm there to help the kids Catch up with what's going on and to tell terrible jokes lol) there were kids who recognized me from years past and all my nervousness of donning the cape again quickly faded. We also built tall towers out newspapers and tape and at first the group of girls I chose to help coach along were really not interested but with some silly encouragement we were working so hard together and rushing down to the wire to be the best. It's such a heart warming moment that they did come together for the good of the team and were open to direction and encouragement instead of shutting out the adults completely let alone the one American in the group.
It was so nice to come back as Captain Ketchup, with a James Bond theme song this year so I of course am properly sneaking in and rolling onto the stage. I'm sharing the stage again with Spudnik (Puppy Puppet, voiced by Martin) who fills in on his own whenever I can't fly over for Holiday Club. We tell the kids prayers, jokes, and different events that they may need to know about this week. The kids did give us some pity laughs, so nice to be back!
Each day someone gives a testimony that goes along with the theme of the day and today was mine. What gift has God given me and how do I use it for the good of him. I shared about being able to use my silliness, acting and ability to teach/talk to kids for the good of God with my job as a Children's Minister but also coming and doing Holiday Club and sharing Jesus Love with all kids.
I am in the Blue group (5th-6th graders) at Holiday Club, which means it can be a little harder to connect with them but the moment I showed up in my Captain Ketchup outfit (the superhero I play, I'm there to help the kids Catch up with what's going on and to tell terrible jokes lol) there were kids who recognized me from years past and all my nervousness of donning the cape again quickly faded. We also built tall towers out newspapers and tape and at first the group of girls I chose to help coach along were really not interested but with some silly encouragement we were working so hard together and rushing down to the wire to be the best. It's such a heart warming moment that they did come together for the good of the team and were open to direction and encouragement instead of shutting out the adults completely let alone the one American in the group.
It was so nice to come back as Captain Ketchup, with a James Bond theme song this year so I of course am properly sneaking in and rolling onto the stage. I'm sharing the stage again with Spudnik (Puppy Puppet, voiced by Martin) who fills in on his own whenever I can't fly over for Holiday Club. We tell the kids prayers, jokes, and different events that they may need to know about this week. The kids did give us some pity laughs, so nice to be back!
Each day someone gives a testimony that goes along with the theme of the day and today was mine. What gift has God given me and how do I use it for the good of him. I shared about being able to use my silliness, acting and ability to teach/talk to kids for the good of God with my job as a Children's Minister but also coming and doing Holiday Club and sharing Jesus Love with all kids.
Sadly, Tom is still sick so please keep praying for him to get back on his feet to join us as soon as possible.
We went to the Rayfield's house for a potluck with some other leaders, we were meant to go to Tom and Jo Wharin's house but since Tom is sick we changed plans and Jo and the Rayfields did the main dishes together. Everything was so amazing and the company couldn't be better!
We went to the Rayfield's house for a potluck with some other leaders, we were meant to go to Tom and Jo Wharin's house but since Tom is sick we changed plans and Jo and the Rayfields did the main dishes together. Everything was so amazing and the company couldn't be better!
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