LAST KIDS CLUB in EDD & INGRID'S NEIGHBOURHOOD
On our way to our final kids club in Edd & Ingrid's neighbourhood, we had another pit stop to "fuel up" while we stopped for gas: iced coffee & fresh fruit!
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| Carol, Kevin & Brian getting some fresh mango & pineapple |
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| Iced coffee stand beside the gas station |
The kids had pretty quickly clued in that before club started,we met first at Edd & Ingrid's. Today, not only were several of them there waiting for us, but while we were doing our final preparations and prayer, they were sticking their heads in the open windows!
One of the best moments of my week is represented in the picture below: as we were walking down the street to the park, one of the Mom's who was setting up her BBQ cart on street, took the hand of her little girl (below) and walked over and put her hand in mine. To have established that kind of trust in a week was a real honour.
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| Walking from Edd & Ingrid's to the park for kids club. |
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| This Grandpa was a great character, and interacted with us every day. |
The week had gone so quickly, and we had already established some relationships in that short time. It was bittersweet, as we knew that we were leaving - however it was great to know that Edd & Ingrid had begun friendships here, and would continue to invest in their lives.
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My friend, Kai: she brought me over to show me
this drawing she'd done for me <3 |
It was strange (and wonderful!) to work in a place where teachers are so highly respected.
We brought out the sidewalk chalk today, and it was a huge hit with the kids! We only wished that we had brought more. There wasn't enough for every child, so Hans was wondering if we should break the sticks in half... meanwhile, the kids had already figured that out for themselves. It was really touching to see how they shared.
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the two kids on the right broke their chalk in half so that the other two could have some too
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Kevin keeps a big group of kids entertained jumping the rope - Brian is in the thick of it, as always
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| Carol and Paul teach English |
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Pastor Naat shares the Easter Story with her usual animation & passion
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| Parents and grandparents following along |
Following the Easter Story, Pastor Naat shared the gospel. She then asked in any would like to accept Christ as their Saviour. The response was amazing: 20-25 hands flew up!
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She then had them pray with her. |
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These gospel bracelets were our craft:
the colours tell the story |
Afterwards we made gospel bracelets. Pastor Naat explained how the colours represent our need for Jesus, his sacrificial death for us, our being made pure through faith in Him (not in our own works or goodness), the new life we receive now, and the certainty of heaven & eternal life later.
We had prepared for about 40 bracelets, but had to run back to the house for more hemp, as the adults wanted them too. In the end we gave out about 60!
We hung around the park for a while afterwards; it was hard to leave. What an amazing way to end the kids club. God is so good!
Meanwhile, back at Ingrid's the final day of cupcake decorating was going on - this started with one person, but over several days a number of the women and kids showed up to enjoy the activity. Ingrid & Carol S. led it, with Danae helping out as well.
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| Danae helps with cupcake decorating with Ingrid's neighbours |
In Carol's words:
On Wednesday and Thursday, I worked with Ingrid in her home
community where they were also running a children’s program. Edd & Ingrid have a side patio that faces
the street where there is a lot of activity in the evenings, and being on their
patio was a perfect vantage point. Many
of the neighbors cook and sell food on the street in front of their homes, and
others are out walking or biking with their children. Ingrid had all the cupcakes prepared, but the
neighbors seemed a little shy to stop and chat the first evening.
I wondered if my contribution meant anything at all, when
Ingrid turned to me and said that it was good for her to have western
visitors. So I took my time to visit
with her and let her speak English for a while.
I thought she did very well to communicate in Thai with her neighbors,
but it must be a struggle.
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Gao cooking up food to sell outside of Ingrid's
Thursday evening was a hub of activity. The pastor and his wife, Gai & Gao, set up a barbecue stand, and as people came by
to purchase chicken on a stick they seemed a little more encouraged to stop and
see what we were doing. Many moms and
some of their daughters sat and decorated a cupcake. There
were lots of smiles and it felt like a real break-through. Ingrid continued on Friday evening as well,
but I moved on to another project with the youth at Hope Center. (see "Valentines Party" entry)
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| Carol helps with the cupcake decorating |
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| Edd & Ingrid Russell |
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