kolmapäev, august 17, 2005
Backyard Bible Blast, Day 3
Well, we were foiled by rain today, but we still carried on. Everyone tried extra hard to get the word out during the day. It was even a bright, sunny day, which made it easy for them to go to the outdoor market to tell people about the program, and to walk around the neighborhood.
When it was time to begin, we had 10 people in the backyard for the cookout, and the sun was still shining so we were able to cook on the grill. But as the sky started to get cloudy, several of the children said that their mom had called and they needed to go home. There was another woman who came with three boys, and we learned that she was from a children's home that is not far from us, but after hanging around for a bit the boys decided they wanted to leave, even though she tried her best to have them stay. As we were finishing our food, the clouds opened up and we all had to dash into the house to hold the program in our meeting room. The three remaining girls kept asking if we were going to roast marshmallows later, but the rain never let up, so they didn't get the chance. But we did have a good time with them. They laughed a lot during the games we played, they had fun learning a dance the team taught them, they very carefully made the craft and they listened attentively to the devotional. It was only a few kids, but we were glad they had come.
At first, Evelyn and I were feeling quite discouraged by the way things had turned out. But as we were talking together, she pointed out that God may use this week for other reasons. We had heard of the children's home that the woman and boys came from, but had never been there or met someone from there. We had a good opportunity to talk with the woman, and even offered to have the Mission Team go there before they left. She was very interested in our work here, and seemed interested in keeping in contact. So this may open a door for more opportunities with young people.
Also, the three girls who stayed had come before and really seemed to enjoy the program. Through this relationship, they may become the start of our Sunbeam troop and Sunday school program.
One of the girls, Etthel, is nine years old and lives in the house diagonally across the street from us. She had a lot of fun playing with Elizabeth, and even joined during the day passing out fliers and during the program at the shopping center. She said she really wants to see Elizabeth even after this week ends, and of course we said yes. So Elizabeth is also gaining a new friend through this.
And so we press on. God has done surprising things during our time here, and I have no doubt He has more in store for us. We still hope for more children over the next two days, but we are also open to the unexpected opportunities and relationships He may bring our way. Please continue to keep us in prayer.
--Tim
When it was time to begin, we had 10 people in the backyard for the cookout, and the sun was still shining so we were able to cook on the grill. But as the sky started to get cloudy, several of the children said that their mom had called and they needed to go home. There was another woman who came with three boys, and we learned that she was from a children's home that is not far from us, but after hanging around for a bit the boys decided they wanted to leave, even though she tried her best to have them stay. As we were finishing our food, the clouds opened up and we all had to dash into the house to hold the program in our meeting room. The three remaining girls kept asking if we were going to roast marshmallows later, but the rain never let up, so they didn't get the chance. But we did have a good time with them. They laughed a lot during the games we played, they had fun learning a dance the team taught them, they very carefully made the craft and they listened attentively to the devotional. It was only a few kids, but we were glad they had come.
At first, Evelyn and I were feeling quite discouraged by the way things had turned out. But as we were talking together, she pointed out that God may use this week for other reasons. We had heard of the children's home that the woman and boys came from, but had never been there or met someone from there. We had a good opportunity to talk with the woman, and even offered to have the Mission Team go there before they left. She was very interested in our work here, and seemed interested in keeping in contact. So this may open a door for more opportunities with young people.
Also, the three girls who stayed had come before and really seemed to enjoy the program. Through this relationship, they may become the start of our Sunbeam troop and Sunday school program.
One of the girls, Etthel, is nine years old and lives in the house diagonally across the street from us. She had a lot of fun playing with Elizabeth, and even joined during the day passing out fliers and during the program at the shopping center. She said she really wants to see Elizabeth even after this week ends, and of course we said yes. So Elizabeth is also gaining a new friend through this.
And so we press on. God has done surprising things during our time here, and I have no doubt He has more in store for us. We still hope for more children over the next two days, but we are also open to the unexpected opportunities and relationships He may bring our way. Please continue to keep us in prayer.
--Tim
