Tuesday, June 23, 2009

SUMMER 2009 Continues


I’m late doing this b/c I’m behind a week!!!  I haven’t even downloaded the photos from each night,  and Jack has taken some really good ones.  We had a bunch of new ones tonight at Jenkins, and we didn’t get any photos.  But we will get some Thursday, Lord willing.  Tomorrow will be "Hollywood" camp.  This slideshow is from the first night of lessons with the children at Jenkin's camp.   There were many very young ones who did not speak English.  They will begin learning it when they get to Kindergarten.   Once the children begin speaking English, they then prefer that - which puts me in a difficult position.  After twenty-two years of teaching these little ones, we make it work, but I still don’t feel I’ve found a really good way of teaching a group of children where some know no English, others would rather speak in English, and occasionally there are those who don’t understand Spanish : ) and vary in ages from babies to early teens.  This keeps me on my toes and really on my knees where I should be from the beginning : ) after all.  It is a blessing and a constant challenge that has me praying and ever learning.  That first lesson was easy because it was just an introduction lesson, but the next were not so easy.  Tonight thanks to prayers giving me the idea to START with physical games to get everyone tired out, things went very well and was even fun for me too : )!  We started off with running from fence to fence playing pink bandana - blue bandana [red light - green light]  since language is an issue we used holding the bandana’s up to signify go or stop.  The winner was able to hold the bandanas.  Then we played cut the cake which was OK but the little ones were a bit overwhelmed.  So we used our circle and just sat down and played hot potato saying our names so everyone could learn each others name.  THEN we began the lesson with coloring sheets for the little ones to complete during the lesson as the older ones could just watch the picture charts/boards and raise their hands.  We had several older ones who were new tonight and they were GREAT!!!!!  Two of them, Daniel and Alfondo, actually go to church.  So they really wanted to help tell the story and they did a great job.  Then we read the verse from the Bible and ended with - what we normally begin with - singing.  I’m always amazed that after all this time, I’m still learning and having to re-invent how to reach a new group with the truth of God’s Word.  It is so great to see the Lord answer prayers and know that it is HIM giving the answer.   When I did the first lessons just doing what worked from the past not really praying for wisdom with a “felt need”, they were no fun and pretty miserable.  Just being honest!  But after last night, it was so lackluster that it made me, once again, ask the Lord for help and wisdom not only to know how to reach them, but IF He even wanted me to continue.  Tonight was very fulfilling and exciting for several reasons.  The games certainly helped : ), and they were possible because I was not as tired going out there as I was last night [another thing the Lord seemed to be making me aware of - saving some energy for the evening].  There were older children tonight who are much easier for me to teach : ); yesterday they never came to the lesson because they came over to our side late.  And of course, asking for Him to show up is the most important.

Prayers are always appreciated :).  For those of you who have asked, we definitely would be glad to take out some clothes for the little ones.  Here are some names for those of you who faithfully pray year after year and for those who would like to start praying this year : ):  Horalia, Feliberto, Alejandro, Edwin, Luis, Marcos, Norma, Cassandra, Emilie, Jessica, Julissa, Karen, Alex, Daniel, Alfondo, Genaro, and a cute little girl whose name I can’t remember but who the Lord knows.  All of these children are new this year.  Not a single child is returning from last year, which is sad in one way, but it is great to know that the Lord has given us the opportunity to tell these new ones about Himself and His love for them.  I’m always excited to tell more and more about the great truths of the Bible.  Summer blessings once again : ).

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THE STORY "How It All Began"

 *Photobucket *                                         * Photobucket*  Here is the story of how it first started. This was written a few years ago for a mission fair at JIPC. Since it was already written there really is no reason to re-do it : ). Jack was not in the picture then so he is not included in this story, but his entrance onto the scene is a story for another time : ). The following is the text from years ago:


In the summer of 1987, I went out with Stono Baptist Church to Jenkin’s camp. There were a guy and girl taking out groups from the Charleston Baptist Association. Immediately, my heart jumped inside when I saw the little children and their excitement to learn. By the end of the time, I saw that not much was made of the wide door of opportunity and was sad. But my prayer then was that I would be able to teach children like that one summer. Little did I know what God already had planned. The next year I was a sophomore at Columbia Bible College, one of my friends was Angela Thomas from Charleston. We were just about out for the summer, in the midst of exams and all the end of the year craziness, when Ange asked me if I’d be interested in teaching out at Migrant camps on John’s Island. Her mom had been asked by Reverend Richard McQueen if Ange would be interested, and since she was unavailable and knew that I lived on John’s Island asked if I might be willing. It seems the person scheduled had bailed last minute and they were trying to find someone. But I know better!
Writing this now April 27, 2005, I can still remember being on Petty Hall like it was yesterday. I was not only willing – it was an answer to a prayer I’d forgotten that I prayed! So with little time to prepare and not knowing exactly what I was getting into, I began what would become the most fulfilling, difficult, heartbreaking, rewarding, joyful, sorrowful, love-filled, exciting summer days and nights : ) of my life. God so perfectly put it all together. It started with CBA, then my local church, Samaritan’s Purse after Hugo when I met Franklin Graham and eventually led to meeting Mr. Henry Meeuwse at James Island Presbyterian Foundation. Teaching children the powerful, life-changing Word of God gives me some of the greatest joy in my life. I also love the food, culture and language : ). The children and their families have become a very rich part of my life. I’m so thankful the other person was unable to go out that summer. I’m sure in God’s sovereignty He had something well suited to him for that summer, also. God’s love and control are boundless; I’m thankful He has given me the blessing of summers with so many wonderful people.

~ So there it is. That is how it began in 1987 as a seed, and then in 1988 as a dream fulfilled.