Since I have been back here we have been running programs for children. We had a team from PA come down the first week of July and then last week we had a group from Puerto Rico and then some other people from PA and Ohio help. The kids love the programs that we run here in the summer. It is basically just a vacation bible school program. We start with a 45 minute teaching an then move onto 3 different stations. The kids are split into teams for the week by their age and they either swim, play sports, or do crafts. It was such a fun time. We pretty much had the same kids both weeks so it was really cool to just be able to hang out with them and love on them. THIS WEEK!!!! We are running a new program here called Kings Kids. It is a 2 week overnight camp where the kids ages 8-18 receive hardcore bible teaching, learn choreography, dramas, and use sports to all share the gospel. We have a team of 60 people here from YWAM Puerto Rico Kings Kids program to help us. Along with the 20 kids we have from the island participating in the camp. THe team that is here is compiled mostly of young teens. There might be 15-20 people that are over 20. They came here basically to run the program for us so we can start running it every year!!! It is so exciting to see how God is using kids to spread the gospel. There are kids here that are 8 years old from
Puerto Rico that are totally on fire with their faith! INCREDIBLE!!!
The schedule they have these kids on is EXTREME!
They wake up at 6:30
Breakfast at 7
Quiet time from 7:45 to 8:45
Prayer til 9:15
Class starts at 9:30
12:30 is lunch
1:40 they beging their afternoon activities: either dance, drama, or basketball
4-5 they work
Dinner is at 6
7 to 9 is class or hang out in their small groups time
9 is worship
9:45 they are free to get to bed.
IT IS QUITE HARDCORE, the kids are doing awesome though. They are having great times of learning and I think by the end of the camp they will have a whole new view of God and themselves. It is awesome to see.
KINGS KIDS!!! WOW, I can't say enough about how awesome this program is. These kids are getting awesome teachings and now it is time to go out into the community and share what they have learned. The team has spent hours practicing choreography, drama, and preparing for the next 3 days of outreach. I am so excited about this camp because I was talking to out staff person Cherlyn who will be running the Kings Kids program here in St. Croix and it is amazing the dedication that she will be having. Out of the group of 20 kids she will choose a select few which in talking with her sounds like about 8 kids that she will meet with once a month for a weekend and continue to give teachings, continue to teach dramas and dance and disciple them throughout the year, up until the next summer's camp. It is a continuing program for these kids that are willing to commit themselves. It is SO AMAZING! I had no idea how awesome this program would be when we were planning on having it come here but now as I observe I see the impact it can have on the kids and the community that they are ministering to. They are training and reaching their own people, friends and that is AWESOME!! I am also in the process of praying to see what God has instore for this next season. Next week I will have 4 days off and I am really looking forward to what is coming up.
Although I have no idea what it is I have been thinking about doing either a training school in Community Development or a School of Performing Arts. Both I feel would be beneficial to me in any area of ministy. There has also been a thought of going on a short term outreach with a different organization but I don't have to much information on that yet. I do however know it would be a trip to Israel, Egypt, and Jordan in Dec. SO those are 3 areas that I am seeking God's guidance on and I am praying in the next week I will get solid direction on which avenue to take. Thank you all for your prayers and support.
