Preparing for Palm Sunday

Lately, I've been trying to think of new ways to engage kids at church. As we move from the Old Testament to the New Testament, I find it harder to explain abstract concepts to kindergarteners and 1st graders.

 

What's redeemed? What's reborn? What's the big fuss about the birth of Jesus Christ, his life full of miracles and teaching, Palm Sunday, Crucifixion, Easter Sunday?

 

Sure, there are stories to be told. But what's the take-away for the kiddos. Most kids knew the stories by heart and more than half can answer our questions.

 

But does it mean anything to them?

 

I always feel a pang of sadness whenever I hear stories of how people "grew out" of their faith. Sunday School was but a thing of childhood, forced on them by their parents.

 

What happened in the midst of growing up? I thought that was the best time to experience God. You are entering the scariest phase in life where everything is changing. Nobody understands but He does.

 

Deep inside, I desperately hope that none of the kids will fall away. That they will retain whatever they learned in Sunday School, and use it wisely as they move into more challenging phases of their lives.

 

Faith is an individual's choice. And I hope they take it.

 

Back to my job as the channel.

 

For Palm Sunday, other than making a clothespin donkey and reminding the kids about Jesus' humility as king as he entered into Jerusalem, I want to bring up the significance of the palm leaves - a symbol of triumph and worship for the king.

 

Supposed to make these crosses with real palm leaves but have done a trial with ribbon and felt. Am also planning to prepare some strings for kids to wear the final product as a pendant. 

 

While I was feeling a little panicky that I won't be able to find palm leaves in time, an email from a fellow teacher told me that he could check with a florist tomorrow morning.

 

See, God provides.

 

Hurray!

 

 

 

[Post-script: Here's what the final product looks like. It's made from half a leaflet (length-wise) and we could tie a string through the loop.]

 

 

The little ones



Today at Sunday School, we did a 'Remember and Celebrate' session to test the kids' memory on what they've learnt for the past 5 weeks. We played ZONK with questions relating to Adam and Even, Noah's Ark, Abraham and Sarah, Jacob and Esau. It's a fabulous way of summarising the lessons!

 

And the challenges were most interesting. Panda, who was waiting outside, said he could totally hear us screaming and getting all high in the room. I marvelled at the kids' enthusiasm. We had so much fun!

 



Stack them up! Make a sturdy tower out of 3 water dispenser bottles.

 

Use your breathe to keep the feathers up in the air for 60s!

Within 1 min, take all the tissue out from the box with one hand.



Put pencils at the back of your hand, let them slide off and then catch them mid-air!



Flick as many cards as you can into the open watermelon.

Put petroleum jelly on your nose and transfer cotton balls from one plate to another!

 

Faye, my ex colleague, often reminds me not to get too caught up in service such that I forgot to maintain my own faith in God. She's worried that I will get into a "performance trap".

 

Actually I think my faith in God and my understanding of Him is strengthened because of my involvement in the children ministry. As I prepare for the small group lessons, when I interact with children and answer their questions about God, when I come home after Sunday School, I just want to worship God.

 

I'm closer to Him because I always learn something new. I might have heard the stories a thousand times before, but there's always something awesome to learn.

 

I'm just really glad to be part of His ministry. :)

 

(And I'm learning so much about American games like ZONK and Hot Potato!)

Walk4Water

 

  

Where's everyone going with the colourful pails? Why's Panda filling up our recycled tea bottles? It's the Walk4Water event at Open Door Church!

Open Door Church organised an one-mile walk today to simulate the experience of villagers in rural Africa. MPPC (the mother church) will donate $25 towards clean water projects for every person who participates. It was only a short walk up the hill behind church to a 'water source' to collect water with our containers. I weighed my bottles when we were back at church. It was 2 lbs each but it seemed pretty heavy.

Living in developed countries, we often take water availability for granted. We have taps, we have bottled water, we even have water sources like lakes and seaside to enjoy.

Do you know that in less developed countries, even if the villagers have a well which they could use, the water may not be safe for consumption? They have to rely on trucks that transport clean drinking water to where they live. They drink from plastic bags. That said, with wells, hygiene conditions can be improved.

It's easy to find figures from the Internet. The number of people who die from water related diseases every year; the percentage of world population that does not have access to water and sanitation facilities. BUT, if we don't contribute in whatever small way we can, figures will always remain as... figures. Hopefully, with our short walk, more money can be donated to clean water projects in Jesus' name. Amen!

Kingdom Rock at Open Door Church

Open Door Church San Mateo organised a vacation bible school for school kids last week and the theme for 2013 was Kingdom Rock! After many hours of set up and preparation, the whole church was transformed into castle grounds where newly knighted sirs and ladies would teach kids how to stand strong for God.

 

Kids went through this castle gate after they have signed in

The main castle grounds where the kids met with their crew leaders

At the start of each day, they learnt how to Stand Strong! for God

 

 

I signed up as a bible story teller and was assigned to be the leader of Epic Bible Adventures - one of the four main stations. It was awesome as kids not only got to hear about the bible stories, but also experience and meet the bible characters!

 

On Day 1, to illustrate how God's Love helps us stand strong, we met King David and immersed ourselves in Psalm 23 where he wrote about God's love at different points in his life. We laid on the 'green meadows' and beside 'peaceful streams', and even went into hiding with him as we experienced the 'darkest valley' where he felt the comfort of God.

 

On Day 2, Queen Esther burst into our room as we were discussing how Friends and Family helps us stand strong. She told us about evil Haman's plans and how Mordecai encouraged her to go to the king to save her people. With the kids' help, Queen Esther gathered up her courage to meet the king and tell him her request.

 

On Day 3, Nehemiah, who prayed to God about everything and anything, showed the kids how Prayer helps us stand strong. The kids were enlisted as workers to rebuild the Wall of Jerusalem. They overcame mockers and other challenges as they cried 'God help us!' every time their work on the wall was interrupted.

 

On Day 4, we re-enacted scenes from Jesus' story - his entrance to Jerusalem, his arrest, his crucifixion and then his resurrection. Kids felt the crown of thorn, heard the sound of nails being hammered into wood, and also saw his empty tomb! They experienced how Jesus obeyed God even to death, and that Trusting God helps us stand strong.

 

On Day 5, King Josiah's officials found the scroll within the rubbles of the Temple of Jerusalem and he ordered everyone to obey the word of God from that day onwards. He also asked the kids to help smash all the idols that can be found in his kingdom, and throw them into the fire. The kids learnt that we have the bible as the word of God today, and that the Bible helps us stand strong.

 

We set up the room differently for all five days so that the we could really get the kids into the story. It was literally back and neck breaking work but it was worth every ounce of effort. From the questions they asked, their curiosity, their response and reaction, I could really tell that the kids loved the stories and remembered the bible points. It was lovely to talk to them and work with them.

 

Inside Epic Bible Adventures room among the ruins of the Temple of Jerusalem

 

I sincerely hope that the kids would remember everything they see, learn and feel. Most importantly, that we would continue to stand strong for God even long after the camp has ended!

 

Amazing snacks that were prepared in line with each day's theme

A fanfare finale reinforcing the bible points rounds off each day

 

Full attention given by kids and adults alike

Angela, the Children Ministry director, gave out books to 'lucky winners' on the last day

Freshly grilled hot dogs for everyone on the last day

A feast caps off a very enjoyable and meaningful week

Lend a hand. If you can.

I came across Maya's Hope on Craigslist while I was searching for volunteer opportunities last year. They were looking for people who could write case files for children so that potential sponsors could learn more about their story, their struggles and how they can help.

 

One great takeaway from my previous job in the bank is that you are never too busy to help. A little contribution goes a long way in helping others. And you feel good, knowing that you've put your skills to good use.

 

I have been writing case files whenever I can. In between doing housework, traveling and hosting visitors. I love writing and am happy to take part in a meaningful cause. My work's probably minute compared to other volunteers but it's still something.

 

If you'd like to help, you can contact Maya's Hope on their website or check out how to get involved as a volunteer. Maya's currently looking for people who can post ads,  recruit volunteers, write, raise funds, use Instagram and contact companies for donations.

 

Better yet, if you are financially comfortable, you can help give hope and save a child's life.

 

As with all volunteer work, commitment is the key criteria. That and a lot of love and enthusiasm for the cause you believe in. In this case, it's helping children in need.

 

  

*Note: A New York based non-profit organisation that helps children living in extreme poverty, Maya's Hope provides more than just physical and financial support in terms of food, education and other daily necessities. The goal is to give love and hope to the young ones, so that they can grow up to be emotionally strong people who can contribute back to their community. 

Les lettres des enfants de Toguiron

As part of the French Club activities I signed myself up to do French-English translation for primary schools. Kids from African countries write to their pen pals in America, and we have to translate these letters to English.

A real challenge is their cursive handwriting and spelling mistakes. I got to look up the dictionary and search online for words and phrases which I don't understand. Some are plainly illegible or just don't make sense. Makes me wanna ask the teacher, you sure you are teaching them good writing skills? :(

But I had fun nonetheless, learning more about the African culture especially their daily staples - rice, fonio, cassava, mangoes... The children's letters are quite cute, mostly talking about their family, their favorite animals and food.

Still, I'm glad that I took part. Even more glad, for the chance to keep the language alive in me.

Some drawings are pretty cute too!