~ It really is a blessing and privilege to be able to teach the Bible. The children were so fantastic Thursday when it WAS finally toy night. As we've been doing for, lets see, yep 20 years now, they earned the toys with memorizing the verses, listening, attendance, etc... But as I mentioned we were giving out the toys every night instead of once a week as I used to do years ago. Well, Thursday they were attentive and they were memorizing verses. It has been wonderful! Tonight I was exhausted again after a really hectic weekend and long work day. So we got out there a little late again and I was wondering if I should just tell them we'd do the lesson tomorrow. When we pulled up we didn't see any children, then we saw them all over on the other side so we were going to go over there and they thought we were leaving. They all came running over screaming wait! They asked if I had the toys and I said, "No remember we are going to do that on Thursdays." Surprisingly, there really weren't any major complaints, and everyone still came over and we spread out the sheets. They were concerned that we play cut the cake again. And when I asked if they remembered the last lesson, they did : ). They are so precious.
It is so interesting. I was so tired and really didn't want to go out, but I always feel like I should take advantage of every opportunity I'm giving since a child could leave to go to another state/crop any day. God is faithful to reward the obedience. We have a 13 year old guy who has attended every lesson and I so surprised by this. He is such a great guy and obviously pretty brave to come out, participate and even help keep the children in line. I'm amazed that these kids even come to the lessons when everything is so incredibly low tech. I've been drawing flash cards on paper for the lessons. We do the verses on a pocket chart. And I don't have any real crafts. Oh it is not that I've not had all the bells and whistles at churches or VBS etc... But this is all on the ground, which by the way has been crawling with red ants that bite us every night! Back to the amazement. No tables, no snacks this year, no fancy videos, flash cards, no hygiene kits this year, no expensive toys - all under $3.00 a piece, and still they come. It is a testament to the appeal of God's Holy Word and love. That does not mean I would not love to be able to do all the great stuff when these kids, but if I had to trade teaching the Bible for all the bells and whistles, I'll keep just the Bible. They're still coming and we're still having fun. It's been a reminder to me. I've even said that the Truth has more lasting appeal than good methodology, but putting it to the test was tough. But, once again, the Lord has shown me that the Truth has prevailed : )!!!
THE STORY "How It All Began"
*
* * 
* 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:
* * 
* 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.
1 comment:
Lovin' it, too...Paulette...such faithfulness and devotion! Keep on keepong it on the WORD...the BIBLE!
Praise God! Praying the ants leave or you can find a new place to lay down the sheets to share God with those eager little people. Glad to hear they stayed without the premios!!! Still praying for Summer Blessings...like the 13 yr. old! Now or never for him(per what statistics say)! God bless...
Post a Comment