Final Bible Camp

Last Bible Camp for me... sigh.

       

October 3-7, 2011            Ephesians 5                  Put on the full armor of God

March 26 -30, 2012         John 10                         Jesus the Good Shepherd

June 25 -19, 2012            John 3:16                      God loves the whole world  

October 1-5, 2012           Galatians 3:16-27          Clothed in Christ 

December 10-14, 2012    Matthew 1:23               Jesus, Emmanuel ~ God with us

Monday I had to take a boy to the hospital (see blog... I wish they would cut off my leg instead).

Tuesday, Ginger, my ministry partner, and I arrive to the Lutheran church to find it surrounded on all sides with water.

There was no way we could have 150 children on the property with so much water everywhere.

This is to the front entrance.  Bible Camp cancelled for the day.

The dirt road was nearly washed away too.

Unbelievable the amount of damage to the dirt road.

Ginger stands in the hole to give perspective... they lost about four feet of dirt.

The township has been working to pave this dirt road since October.  We have had rain for the past several months and they aren't getting very far with the paving project.

Wednesday and Thursday we were blessed with 3 University students from Westville - they masterfully lead the crafts.

Such sweet children.

These children are out of school for the year; in January they will begin their new grade.  With no school they are often left home alone all day and even if a parent or grandparent is at home, they are so bored.

A little angel.

I lead the bible story teaching the account of the birth Jesus.

I really an happier than this picture would suggest. Here leading them in the theme Bible verse in Zulu.

The 150 children are divided by age into four groups... music, crafts, bible story and games.

Here the children listen to the story and answer questions.

it is summer in South Africa and so very hot.  Here Ginger leads the children on the soccer field in a song at the end of the day.

Tiny babies attend too.

Our dear friend Ayanda wearing her tie-dye tee shirt from October's Bible Camp.

One giant circle.  After singing and praying the Lord's Prayer, each child is given a bag of chips.

This sweet little girl attended our creche the past couple of years.  The necklace she is wearing was given to her in May and she has worn it everyday since.  The dress was given to her and all the other girls in the Creche last December.  They are called pillow case dresses and although everyone received one, this is the first time I've seen any girl wearing it.

Thursday and we gladly do it all over again.

Kristen and Emily, missionaries from Middleburg are here to help us.  Great song leaders.

Happy children learning about a God who loves them.

I was so consumed (and stuck) in the church leading the bible story that I never made it outside to see the games.  Here is Thursdays closing.

I just love these children.

Friday morning and Ginger was called away for another project... Emily and Kristen to the rescue to open with songs.

'He's got the whole world in His hands..."

'He's got you and me brother... in his hands.'

The children drew the Christmas story after learning about it.

So proud of their drawings.

coloring away...

Nozipho, our dear and faithful friend translated for us.

Here is Nozipho and I talking about the angels.

More well thought out drawings.

Uncle and niece attended our creche, Mpilo & Zilanda.

Friends.

Leading singing.  These songs about God will forever be in the hearts and minds of these children.

Hand motions are fun... follow Emily.

Singing and enjoying the day.

Zulu children are so beautiful.

Craft time... making a paper chain to count the days til Christmas.

Soooooooo looooooooong

Tiny ones come too.

How many days until the birth of our Lord Jesus?

Then the nightmare began.  I thought I had a brillant idea that on Monday they would decorate a white paper bag and each day put their craft in it and on Friday take everything home.  This would work in America but it did not work in Ntshongweni.  Here Ginger is trying to put the bags in alphabetical order.

Sweet child with baby Jesus.

So many happy children.

The church is packed with children.

Mary and Joseph with baby Jesus.

Group shot of everyone who wore their tee shirt from October.

Tired, tired, tired leaders.

Thank you so much to ALL who have helped over the past five Bible Camps.

This was one of my most favorite and important tasks as a missionary.  It was difficult because the children don't speak English and I don't speak Zulu.

Praise to God for this opportunity to impart to these children the basic principles and stories from the Bible.