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!
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