Re: {FECA Vision Choir} Music Teaching Team (MTT) May 5 - Last day in India

Dear Team,

Welcome home! You all did wonderfully. Take care and have a good rest and God Bless!

Warmly,

Siang Yang 

Sent from my iPhone

On May 7, 2018, at 7:30 PM, 'dc' via FECA Vision Choir <visionsings@googlegroups.com> wrote:

It was day off for the team. The team was complete with M*i coming back from another city last night.  We were already packed up mid morning to get ready to check out by 11 am.  

M*shi's parents treated us to a home-cooked lunch brought over to us at the Center.  His mother even gave each team member a souvenir. She prepared crepelike chapati (matta dosa), steamed rice cakes (idlis), chicken stew with ginger, bananas cooked in its sauce which you can drizzle with coconut milk, 2 vege dishes one with moringa or what the locals call "drumstick", honey if you want for the bananas.  You can wet your matta dosa with the vege stew.  They made sure that the food was still warm when served and carefully packed every dish container with saran wrap.  M*shi's parents were very hospitable and kind. We almost devoured everything!  We offered them some pastries from a new restaurant next door to show our appreciation for their hospitality. They also came to the graduation day and even joined in with the dance moves to the children's songs.  They're cool!!

We really like them.  

Tim treated us out to see a movie in a nearby mall to watch the "Avengers: Infinity War" in 3D.  We even had popcorn!  Next, we went to a restaurant to have our dinner before going to the airport.  We enjoyed our dinner very much.  We were fully stuffed  from breakfast, lunch and dinner! What a treat!!!  We thank Tim for all his hospitality to the team!

By 10:30pm, we were at the airport to wait for our check-in starting at 12:30am.  While waiting for our flight, M*i and I were able to have tea time and pr*. D*d and E*ene were able to snooze a little bit and also a bit of computer time. Our flight departed for Abu Dhabi at 4:35am pretty much on time.  The second leg of the trip from Abu Dhabi to Los Angeles was delayed due to mechanical issue that needed to be addressed.  We waited for two hours after boarding and so instead of arriving Los Angeles at 2:20pm (LA time), we arrived at 4:30pm. We're thankful though for a safe trip.  One thing I could say was that this flight from Bangalore to Abu Dhabi (4 hours) and from Abu Dhabi(16 hours originally + the 2 hour delay) was 22 hours - my first loooong flight !  David was as normal as he could be.  He sat at his usual seat assignment, was able to sit for long periods of time punctuated with short amounts of walking to relieve  long periods of sitting, no pain!  Isn't this miraculous!!! Thanks for all the pr*ers said on on his behalf.  Our Dad is amazing!

M*i and E*ene rode with Eugene Cheng while David and Bess were picked up by Sara, their daughter.  We retrieved all our luggages right.  They were all intact. 

We went home in our separate ways but with the plan to meet for dinner as a team later in the month.  

We appreciate M*i for being the leader of our team.  She had a tough job but did it with flying colors in His abundant grace.  E*ene did a fantastic job with leading the children's program thrust upon him for the first time!  He said that usually he did supportive roles with the children's program.  Yes, D*d was able to do his assignment due to so many pr* of Dad's family without his usual pain before coming to India.  He was assailed first and be humbled before he could do his part in the team.  We appreciate Tim for the work he is doing.  It is a Dad thing to enable him to carry on a lot of responsibilities.  

To our community of supporters, we thank you for coming alongside us.  You're so vital in the work that was done.  Within a short time, the team was able to accomplish what was expedient.  Of course, we would like to do so many things.  Dad knows best!

Now that we're back, we're signing off for now.

 

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Re: {FECA Vision Choir} Music Teaching Team (MTT) May 5 - Last day in Indiawelco

Welcome Home! What a wonderful team!
PTL!
Can't wait for more stories!
--------------------------------------------
On Mon, 5/7/18, 'dc' via FECA Vision Choir <visionsings@googlegroups.com> wrote:

Subject: {FECA Vision Choir} Music Teaching Team (MTT) May 5 - Last day in India
To: "FECA Vision Choir" <visionsings@googlegroups.com>
Date: Monday, May 7, 2018, 7:30 PM

It was day off for the
team. The team was complete with M*i coming back from
another city last night.  We were already packed up mid
morning to get ready to check out by 11
am.  
M*shi's parents treated us to a home-cooked
lunch brought over to us at the Center.  His mother
even gave each team member a souvenir. She prepared
crepelike chapati (matta dosa), steamed rice cakes (idlis),
chicken stew with ginger, bananas cooked in its sauce which
you can drizzle with coconut milk, 2 vege dishes one with
moringa or what the locals call "drumstick", honey
if you want for the bananas.  You can wet your matta
dosa with the vege stew.  They made sure that the food
was still warm when served and carefully packed every dish
container with saran wrap.  M*shi's parents were
very hospitable and kind. We almost devoured
everything!  We offered them some pastries from a new
restaurant next door to show our appreciation for their
hospitality. They also came to the graduation day and even
joined in with the dance moves to the children's
songs.  They're cool!!We really like
them.  
Tim treated us out to see a movie in a nearby
mall to watch the "Avengers: Infinity War" in
3D.  We even had popcorn!  Next, we went to a
restaurant to have our dinner before going to the
airport.  We enjoyed our dinner very much.  We
were fully stuffed  from breakfast, lunch and dinner!
What a treat!!!  We thank Tim for all his hospitality
to the team!
By 10:30pm, we were at the airport to wait for
our check-in starting at 12:30am.  While waiting for
our flight, M*i and I were able to have tea time and pr*.
D*d and E*ene were able to snooze a little bit and also a
bit of computer time. Our flight departed for Abu Dhabi at
4:35am pretty much on time.  The second leg of the trip
from Abu Dhabi to Los Angeles was delayed due to mechanical
issue that needed to be addressed.  We waited for two
hours after boarding and so instead of arriving Los Angeles
at 2:20pm (LA time), we arrived at 4:30pm. We're
thankful though for a safe trip.  One thing I could say
was that this flight from Bangalore to Abu Dhabi (4 hours)
and from Abu Dhabi(16 hours originally + the 2 hour delay)
was 22 hours - my first loooong flight !  David was as
normal as he could be.  He sat at his usual seat
assignment, was able to sit for long periods of time
punctuated with short amounts of walking to relieve 
long periods of sitting, no pain!  Isn't this
miraculous!!! Thanks for all the pr*ers said on on his
behalf.  Our Dad is amazing!
M*i and E*ene rode with Eugene Cheng while David
and Bess were picked up by Sara, their daughter.  We
retrieved all our luggages right.  They were all
intact. 
We went home in our separate ways but with the
plan to meet for dinner as a team later in the
month.  
We appreciate M*i for being the leader of our
team.  She had a tough job but did it with flying
colors in His abundant grace.  E*ene did a fantastic
job with leading the children's program thrust upon him
for the first time!  He said that usually he did
supportive roles with the children's program.  Yes,
D*d was able to do his assignment due to so many pr* of
Dad's family without his usual pain before coming to
India.  He was assailed first and be humbled before he
could do his part in the team.  We appreciate Tim for
the work he is doing.  It is a Dad thing to enable him
to carry on a lot of
responsibilities.  
To our community of supporters, we thank you for
coming alongside us.  You're so vital in the work
that was done.  Within a short time, the team was able
to accomplish what was expedient.  Of course, we would
like to do so many things.  Dad knows best!
Now that we're back, we're signing off
for now.

 



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{FECA Vision Choir} Music Teaching Team (MTT) May 5 - Last day in India

It was day off for the team. The team was complete with M*i coming back from another city last night.  We were already packed up mid morning to get ready to check out by 11 am.  

M*shi's parents treated us to a home-cooked lunch brought over to us at the Center.  His mother even gave each team member a souvenir. She prepared crepelike chapati (matta dosa), steamed rice cakes (idlis), chicken stew with ginger, bananas cooked in its sauce which you can drizzle with coconut milk, 2 vege dishes one with moringa or what the locals call "drumstick", honey if you want for the bananas.  You can wet your matta dosa with the vege stew.  They made sure that the food was still warm when served and carefully packed every dish container with saran wrap.  M*shi's parents were very hospitable and kind. We almost devoured everything!  We offered them some pastries from a new restaurant next door to show our appreciation for their hospitality. They also came to the graduation day and even joined in with the dance moves to the children's songs.  They're cool!!

We really like them.  

Tim treated us out to see a movie in a nearby mall to watch the "Avengers: Infinity War" in 3D.  We even had popcorn!  Next, we went to a restaurant to have our dinner before going to the airport.  We enjoyed our dinner very much.  We were fully stuffed  from breakfast, lunch and dinner! What a treat!!!  We thank Tim for all his hospitality to the team!

By 10:30pm, we were at the airport to wait for our check-in starting at 12:30am.  While waiting for our flight, M*i and I were able to have tea time and pr*. D*d and E*ene were able to snooze a little bit and also a bit of computer time. Our flight departed for Abu Dhabi at 4:35am pretty much on time.  The second leg of the trip from Abu Dhabi to Los Angeles was delayed due to mechanical issue that needed to be addressed.  We waited for two hours after boarding and so instead of arriving Los Angeles at 2:20pm (LA time), we arrived at 4:30pm. We're thankful though for a safe trip.  One thing I could say was that this flight from Bangalore to Abu Dhabi (4 hours) and from Abu Dhabi(16 hours originally + the 2 hour delay) was 22 hours - my first loooong flight !  David was as normal as he could be.  He sat at his usual seat assignment, was able to sit for long periods of time punctuated with short amounts of walking to relieve  long periods of sitting, no pain!  Isn't this miraculous!!! Thanks for all the pr*ers said on on his behalf.  Our Dad is amazing!

M*i and E*ene rode with Eugene Cheng while David and Bess were picked up by Sara, their daughter.  We retrieved all our luggages right.  They were all intact. 

We went home in our separate ways but with the plan to meet for dinner as a team later in the month.  

We appreciate M*i for being the leader of our team.  She had a tough job but did it with flying colors in His abundant grace.  E*ene did a fantastic job with leading the children's program thrust upon him for the first time!  He said that usually he did supportive roles with the children's program.  Yes, D*d was able to do his assignment due to so many pr* of Dad's family without his usual pain before coming to India.  He was assailed first and be humbled before he could do his part in the team.  We appreciate Tim for the work he is doing.  It is a Dad thing to enable him to carry on a lot of responsibilities.  

To our community of supporters, we thank you for coming alongside us.  You're so vital in the work that was done.  Within a short time, the team was able to accomplish what was expedient.  Of course, we would like to do so many things.  Dad knows best!

Now that we're back, we're signing off for now.

 

{FECA Vision Choir} Fwd: Teaching team

Pray for journey mercies (as well as David's back to sustain the long plane ride home).  Remember Tim who is staying a few more days there.

Begin forwarded message:

From: Timothy Kim <timothyjk@gmail.com>

Subject: Teaching team

Date: May 5, 2018 at 10:18:50 AM PDT

To: Uncle Marshall Huang <umarsh07@gmail.com>

Shalom Uncle Marshall,

Team has checked into airport.
They will be on their way home in few hours,

See you back home!

Timothy Kim

Sent from my iPhone

{FECA Vision Choir} Music Teaching Team (MTT) Day 5 - May 4, 2018

Today is the last day of the children's program.  On the way to the Center, the teaching team pr*ed for the program to stress the importance of the message.  The teaching team reached Ac*es at 8:30 am.  We were greeted by the participants who were dressed very nicely knowing that they would present special numbers at this finale program.  We're happy to see them and they too.  We sat down with some of the boys and girls who were there to have some pleasantries.  This time slot also gave us enough time to practice our skit to dramatize the story of J's death and resurrection.  We're thinking that it was important for the participants to be clear about this story.  E*ene explained more about this story so that the children can remember the gist of it. After dramatizing the story, E*ne sang the song "What a Beautiful Name It Is" with keyboard accompaniment by D*el.

Next, we proceeded to present the memory verse which led to the memory verse craft.  The participants were already seated in their respective group and the crayons, markers, pencils, and glue sticks were already distributed.  It was at this point, that we the teaching team realized that we did not have the stock paper needed.  M*shi hurriedly went out to buy the needed paper.  In a matter of a few minutes, the paper became available and the children continued with their usual chatter.  I assigned four girls in my group to be in charge of the crayons, markers, pencil, glue sticks and erasers that would be distributed to the five groups.  Each one of these girls was excited to take on the responsibility.  I forgot to announce to the groups that these four girls would be the contact persons for what they needed.  It ended up that the participants would approach me to ask for supplies.  So much for that attempt to distribute responsibility. 

This time, the small children somehow were better behaved.  They instinctively went to form their own group.  I led them to do some coloring which they did without much fuss.  The other participants who joined the pre-K kids did their own craft without disturbing the young ones.  After all the buzz, the participants were ready to present their memory verse in art form.  Each group was as usual proud to present in front of everyone. 

After the snack time, it was time for games.  Like yesterday, we asked the teens to play games to the patio area while the rest stayed in the room.  Initially when it was announced that the games were to commence, the younger than the teens age group pulled me to go with them to the patio area.  They were carried away with the excitement of the day.  They were told that they had to go back to the room.  The usual games were used for both sessions but still the participants enjoyed going through the games. 

Next, we had a session in singing the songs taught throughout the program.  The favorite song of the participants was the perky song about trading high five's to each other.  The participants requested this song twice after the initial singing  It was a lot of energy and fun for everybody!

Then, the time to present the group memory verse craft came up.  It was beautiful to see the creativity and the earnestness of every one contributing to the group effort.  These works of art were displayed on the walls of this room where we were having our program including the stage area.  It was a sight to see!  Hanging them up served as a reminder of what they've learned. 

Next, it's time for the participants to display their talents in singing, dance, and drama.  They practiced a lot yesterday and it paid off.  Each group's rendition of their special number was eagerly applauded.  After this, everyone posed for a group photo that included the teaching team and the AC*es staff.  The participants were requested to say Thank You to us the teaching team.  It was a reciprocal on our part also to say thank you to them.  They actually hosted us also with their hospitality through snacks and lunch for five days.

During lunch, D*d and I were able to sit together with J*fer talking about the Center.  A lot of the participants were cared for here at a young age.  She really believes the good work that the Center is doing that is being extended to many.  We were pr*ing to Dad that this good work continues and that the provisions for service will be accessed.  Some of the boys approached D*d to say goodbye.  I approached the girls who were sitting down eating their lunch.  I uttered words of blessing to each one appreciating the fact that I've met them.  The girls also said goodbye to me 

 

D*d was able to talk to N, the leader of one of the boys' group.  He wrote the play that was enacted by his group and even chose the background music.  He has the ambition to be a producer and director of drama.  He was able to talk to three teen boys and admonish them to consider the important things in life – to know G and look to Him for guidance.

At our teaching team meeting afterwards, we spent time thanking Dad for all that occurred at the children's program.  We were all appreciative that we were able to work together in cooperative spirit working together to bring the good news to our audience.

As of this evening upon returning to our room by midnight, M*I arrived safely to our city.  Thank you Father! 

(Note:  After dinner, E*ene, D*d and B*s had an impromptu conversation about a range of topics.  We continued to talk in his room.  This we could not do during m*try time from last week and this week.  We really appreciated being able to fellowship with one another.)

Hi Vision https://goo.gl/apueZq jhsiung

{FECA Vision Choir} Music Teaching Team (MTT) Day 4 -May 3, 2018

The teaching team arrived at A*es center by 8:30am providing us enough time to organize the supplies and to rehearse the Abigail story for today.  N and I welcomed the children who came while D assigned two of the boys in his group to be soldiers in the skit.  We rehearsed the play three times to make sure we got it right. 

Sixty eight children came.  After the singing, we went straight to the story and acted it out.  After this, the children depicted the verse of the day through writing it and embellishing around it on a stock paper.  The creativity and the variety of designs attested to the capability of these children.  The A*es staff initiated to form pre-kindergarten children's group and had them sit in the middle of the room.  However, some of the older girls who were waiting for their turn in their own group to color, suddenly joined this newly formed group.  My intention to take care of the young ones was commandeered by these older girls.  So I left alone these older girls and herded the pre-kinder kids to another corner all by themselves.  Armed with colored tabs of paper I brought with me, I guided these young children to use these tabs for their craft.  While doing so, another group of girls approached us to get some of those tabs.  I told them to go back to their own group and gave only a piece or two.  How observant and alert these children were to see us with different color scheme!  News of this new color tabs was already broadcasted in the room!  Even the older girls asked for one or two pieces.(LOL)  The pre-kinder kids quieted down and had fun with their work.  One of these children was so attached to his older sister that he could not be appeased if not near her.  This time, he quieted down and followed instructions and also because another young sister was in the group. 

After the snack time, we divided the entire group into two teams.  The older ones would play their games outside the room which was the patio area where we were supposed to eat our lunch while the rest stayed in the room.  Initially, the group in the patio were supposed to play using water balloons.  However, they preferred to play the game called"Coocoo"(spelling?) led by D*el.  This they enjoyed tremendously to the point of exhaustion.  As a result, they were ready for the next portion of the program and came inside the room.  This division of groups for games was well-coordinated that worked well.  This was an improvement we talked about in our team meeting the day previous.  Every time we had the team meeting, there were always points of improvement that we could implement that improved the flow of the program.  Because all the children were hyped up, they were ready for the singing with its accompanying movements.  They loved these songs and participated in them earnestly.  They even requested to repeat one particular song where you "high-five" other children about three or four times during singing.  How fun!  Thank you Father!

Next in the program was the second craft of the day: a small bird with two hearts attached to it.  This was well-received to the point that some girls asked for extra figures that they could color at home either for their own use or to be given away to their friends.  After this, we regrouped to review the verses they learned from day one to four.  Each group would come in front to recite the verse of the day proudly displaying their art work of the verse.  After each group's turn, a group member of each team would volunteer to come in front to recite the verses from day one to three.  Some were very eager to show the teaching team that they really learned something. 

Towards the end of the program, the teaching team wanted to have a recap of the stories told from day one to four.  Volunteers from each children's group would come forward to retell the stories.  We were very happy to note that they would be able to retell the stories as dramatized in the skits. 

At this point, the children were already noisy.  They already did a lot for this morning and were ready to move on to the conclusion of the program.  J*er announced that the children would have the opportunity to show what they've learned the next day at the conclusion of this program.  Also, it would be their turn to give special numbers like singing, dance, recitation of verses, skits using the stories already learned.  Immediately in response, the children talked among themselves what they would do and strategize how to do their act.  Actually after lunch, some of the participants even stayed longer at the Center to prepare their acts.  They knew what they needed to do.  It was wonderful to watch!

D*id had a chance to sit with this boy who requested him to sit beside each other at lunch.  They had a wonderful conversation.  I also had a beautiful conversation with a girl from my group.  She asked me where I'm from.  I said from America.  She gasped at it and I was surprised.  I asked her where she thought I was from.  She retorted, "I thought you were from Delhi!".  Really!"  What an honor to think that I'm local!  Also, two girls from my group asked me if Eugene were my son! (LOL).  I amusingly said "NO, I wish he were"(LOL).  Innocent questions from the mouths of babes….

After watching the participants rehearse their special numbers, the teaching team went back to the Center.  M*shi and D*el treated us to ice cream before we started our evaluation meeting.  The strawberry ice cream hits the spot!  We sat down together and shared our favorite moments so far.  M*shi mentioned about this girl who was from a village where there was only one thing there – a temple.  The mother who became part of Dad's family, did not allow her to visit that temple and instead, learned a lot of B stories.  For D*el, he was happy to coordinate the games today for the teens which they enjoyed thoroughly.  For E*ne, for being able to lead the songs with motions which the children enjoyed thoroughly*s.  For B*s, it was when the children started calling me Auntie more pronounced in these two days and in giving attention to the very young kids.  D*d and N*y both said that they appreciated the camaraderie in this teaching team and helping each other out without being told; just being in sync with what was happening and acting upon it.

Tomorrow is the last day of the program.  We would like to highlight the pivotal story of Js death and resurrection.  D*d suggested that we all read the passage so we feel the essence of the story and hence be able to dramatize it in a skit.  We ended our meeting with pr* to make the meeting tomorrow successful in conveying the message of the good news and that the participants will imbibe it and make it their own 

Pr*es

--for successful implementation of program improvements which occurred today

--for the wonderful and joyous time the children were experiencing in preparing their special numbers

--for remembering the verses and stories

Pr*

--for Tim's travel today to another city to encourage some people

--for the children's program in another city to be a blessing to everyone involved; for the stamina and encouragement for the staff as they struggle with hot weather and power outage

--for a very positive outcome on the finale of the children's program tomorrow in both locations

From M*i

·        Thanks for your continuing remembering! We really appreciate each one of you remembering us before the Father. 

 

I'm so thankful for this beautiful team and the good cooperation we have had with local teachers and young adults to minister a loving touch for children who have been affected by hiv. It's also a glimpse of heaven to see how each team member has found their "group" among the children with whom they hang out during the break times.  

 

Please ask that these remaining two days will be strong, hope-filled days of receiving more of the Father's love, freedom and healing. 

 

These past few days I have been so encouraged to hear some of the stories the children, youth, teachers & program director have shared about their lives, how our Father has brought them to know Himself, how they have been delivered from anger, different problems and diseases. I also learnt that some of the children are so sick that this might be their last annual program to attend. I just couldn't hold back my tears. What a privilege and joy to serve them! 

 

Today our theme is "made for a purpose" and we'll get more into what are the dreams our Father has for each child.  It will be an exciting day again! 

 

My team wanted to make sure I had a memorable time here by introducing various kinds tropical fruit to me. Yesterday I also tried riding the scooter first time in my life. Only in India... :) 

 

Love& greetings! 

 

{FECA Vision Choir} Music Teaching Team (MTT) Day 10 – May 2, 2018

Day 3 of Children's Activity

 

 A group of children came early at 8:45 am, twenty minutes before the program started. To keep them occupied, we sat on the floor to play a rhythm game where we clapped to a particular cadence and whoever was out of the tempo would be out of the circle.  The boys group also did the same thing to form their own rhythm tunes to which we in the girls group mimicked.  The teaching team of the boys also were learning the names of their participants.  The other two members of the teaching team were setting up the equipment needed for the program.  Before we knew it, it was time to start.

Today, we continued to use the song video to review and teach new songs per recommendation of Tim.  Seventy-two children came today.  M*shi and I quickly cut more figures for today's craft while the Bible storytelling was going on spilling into the start of the memory verse craft.  My group of children doubled from eight to sixteen with a lot of pre-kindergarten age kids.From two group of girls, one more group was added.  The same thing occurred for the boys group -from two became three.  It would be hard for everyone to participate.  Thinking on my feet, I divided the group with one teen participant in charge of each subdivision to make sure that their group members participate while finishing up cutting the additional figures for the second craft of the day.  When I came back to my group, the very young children were left to themselves.  I scooped them together to make their own figures to be added to the design of the entire group.

Making the memory verse craft since yesterday had been a very focused and animated time for the participants.  With additional participants, there was more attention to details for the teaching team.  Various requests for coloring supplies kept me busy for the entire time.  At our team evaluation time, we thought of assigning a teen participant to be the supply monitor for the group who would dispense and collect the supplies.  No one was supposed to hug the crayons or pens when not using them.  And starting tomorrow, I would be in charge of the very young children during craft and game time.

After snack break, the second craft activity started.  All of the participants really liked this one because they were pleasantly surprised that the various pieces they were coloring turned out to be a crown with the bee figure in front of the headband with the inscription "God Made You for a Reason" on the inside flap.  This craft excited them a lot; there was a lot of buzz in the room.  Each one was very proud of his/her work when donned over their heads.  The girls in my group were like in a fashion show, parading their crowns, showing them off to me.  What a joyous time of picture taking afterwards!  The A*ess staff were also included in the fun!!

This craft activity was such a sight to behold!  Mind you, if you could picture this in your mind that in the midst of making the craft, the power switched off!!! As a result, the ceiling fans stopped working until the end of the program.  We felt the heat and humidity rise.  The craft pieces did not seem to fit together.  They look like separate parts that are not appealing – white circles that need black circles in the middle , two oval shaped figures, one big circles with a another strange looking shape inside it, a long flap of white paper.  What are these?  In addition, the entire room was darkened with only the open door bringing the bit of light into the room.  Yet, the participants were not flustered at all!  They continued on with coloring their figures.  Actually, there was much beehive of activity in the room while beads of sweat were starting to gather in their foreheads and some with trickles coming down their cheeks.  For me, the insect repellent lotion I applied in my face melded with the sweat that's coming down of my eyes that stung me.  I had to dart out of my group to wipe my face because I could not see anymore what I was doing at the same time receiving a barrage of requests for crayons and other supplies.  At the end, each participant was rewarded with a beautiful paper crown with the message: You are made for a Reason.  The crown is only made of paper yet, it meant a lot for the participant to know that they are not just ordinary people, they have a purpose!

With the beehive of activity today, I learned that thoughtful flexibility is the BIG word when interacting with various age groups in a cross-cultural setting.  You just don't know what circumstances you'll encounter so roll with the punches. You need to perk up your eyes and ears and most importantly, your heart, to be able to respond according to Dad's perspective.  For us who came to mingle and coexist with the locals for a very short period of time, we need to respond as guests to their culture.  Our stance is to take the position of a learner to see where we fit in the scheme of things.  We are co-workers with sensing people who adjust their expectations according to their feel of the situation and the way the other person communicates.  The non-verbal cues matter a lot.  We enter into a rich experience of expanding our repertoire of communication cues in addition to our own. 

I admire the young people we mingle with.  There is such resilience in the midst of much inconvenience.  They continue doing what needed to be done

Pr*se

--for having a beehive of activity today that delighted the children.

--for an additional participant who joined us today

--for a lot of camaraderie among the teaching team that enabled us to respond appropriately in changing situations

 

Pr*

--for lifting up each child for tomorrow.  We are expecting 100 children at the close of the program.

-- that the teaching team will leave behind encouraged participants from what they've learned from the program – that our Dad loves them.

--for Tim's travel mercies tomorrow to the other team's location

--for continued lifting of each of the two groups; heat and humidity and close quarters can mean more pressure and difficulty.

 

 

 

{FECA Vision Choir} Music Teaching Team (MTT) Day 9 -May 1, 2018

Second Day of Children's Activity

The teaching team thought that the program went through very well according to the goal we set for this day.  Instead of the team preparing the memory verse for the children, we wanted it to be emblazoned in the minds of the children.  To accomplish this, we decided that the children themselves would write the verse of the day on strong paper, color and embellish the way their group envisioned it.  In this way, the individual members of the group would have an emotional connection with the verse in addition to reciting it as a group later on at presentation time as well as repeated recitation of the verse as each group took turns saying it. One of the teaching staff confirmed the retention of the verse when asked to recite it upon request.  Another was that the storytelling of the Word for the Day would be dramatized in a skit.  The teaching team made sure that the main points of the main character was stated clearly.  Later on when asked to retell the story, the child who volunteered to speak mentioned the main points dramatized in the skit.  Thank you Father!

Today, Tim joined us. He assisted us in preparing the craft session.  He also enjoined the team to use the music video to teach the songs to facilitate introducing the accompanying motions. 

We had an additional 15 children who came by word of mouth.  They came because they are members of their family or friends.  Two children who we pr*ed for to behave during class did not come today.

During craft time, very ingenious ways of doing the craft came out amusing.  In the boys' team led by a young man wearing thick glasses, he picked up a very young boy in the group to sit on a bed of tissue paper scraps so that they will remain glued to the saran wrap.  It's like a rolling pin flattening a chapati.  In one of the girls' groups, an A*ess lady worker could not resist joining in the fun.  She commandeered the making of the craft by unilaterally applying the glue to the saran wrap, directed her girls to pour in the tissue paper scraps all over the four swaths of saran wrap and asked them to pat them down so they would stick tight.  She joined in herself.  Because of these samples of ingenuity, Eugene remarked that the time to finish the craft diminished by a wide margin! (LOL)

A brief note about this young man wearing thick glasses:  He was five years old when he lost his vision.  His mother cried and prayed every day asking for grace and mercy for him.  Through some kind of intervention somehow, he was able to see even though blurry. Through the sponsorship of A*ess and the attention he received, he was fitted with thick glasses and is now able to read..  He attributes this blessing to God.  However, he admits that he is not yet a member of Dad's family.  He comes because he wants to give back.

The teaching team supported each other in several ways so that it will not be too much on Eugene to monitor everything.  D*el said that he had to transfer a young child from his group to another so that they can concentrate in doing their memory verse craft.  N*y said a young girl in her group diligently memorized the verse of the day. that encouraged the other girls in the group to do the same  B*s took care of the little children in her group to be occupied so that they will not bother their older sisters who were doing the crafts. M*shi retrieved the sound system from our Centre and other stuff that were needed for that morning. We also had ministry time for Eugene so that his mind is released from all the concerns he has for the children's activity to make it functioning well.  We upheld each other pr*ing for details to be taken cared of.  Thank you for upholding us from your side.  They are answered!

M*I's Notes:

We had a blessed time with the children today with the theme "If G is for us who can be against us." We made bee hat crafts and each of the 200 children enjoyed making and wearing their hats. What a variety of rich expression! 

 

It was the warmest day this far, 104F. The team struggles to sleep through the night because of the heat. Currently there is no electricity and we all try to keep cool by staying in the first floor and drinking water.  We're preparing craft for tomorrow's program.  I also ate palm fruit first time in my life! 

 

Please continue to ask for stamina and flexible attitudes in the midst of the heat. We also ask for breakthroughs as we seek to bless the kids through our program.