"Ceeyaptain Keeyetchup!"
"I love ketchup, ketchup, ketchup!" has been the familiar chant of the week. The past five days have found us running around, singing wacky songs, and playing lots of "What time is it Mr. Wolf?" with a bazillion kids at the two Kids' Clubs that Swords Baptist Church ran. It has been a hectic and physically demanding week to say the least!
Here's a run-down of a typical day:
We started off our days packing up Nancy's car with the day's supplies, heading off to the green in River Valley, setting up the stations and running our morning club. I have become quite adept at thinking up kids' games and getting them off and running while Jordan's got to practice his footballing (soccer) skills with a less intimidating crowd. Just when I thought another relay may possibly lay me flat, the kids would be broken into their small groups and trotted off with their leaders. The Baptist association sent a team of teens from Northern Ireland to help out with our clubs and we decided to try them out as small group leaders. As this was a first for many of them, Jord and I were appointed to wander between them and give a hand as well as a sense of support.
Our days did not end here though. Since the B.Y.E. team (the teens from the North - don't ask me what it stands for, it just is) were here for the week, there was more to be done. It was super hot this past week so a shower was a must, but then we would pack up and head for whatever house Hazel was feeding them all at. Hazel did a marvellous job at getting food together for everyone and she let me help when I could. The evening entertainment ensued and we had much fun with them. We even made it out to Howth (does not sound like "mouth"), climbed a small mountain, and got some great views. Jordan and Nev also nearly made some of our girls wet themselves by scrambling up two trees along the trail and screaming at them when they walked under. The team also had a leader named Andrew from the south side of Dublin who led them (and often us) in a nightly Bible study. By the time we fell into bed, we were spent! It was great being able to be involved with the B.Y.E. team and I think it was an encouragement for our youth who were also helping out with the clubs. We'll post some sweet pictures from this excursion shortly.
Finally, a picture of Hazel-Anne and Neville!
It was really exciting to see kids come to the clubs who normally don't have much, if any, contact with the gospel message. The stories followed Joseph and brought out the points of God being a planner, helper, provider, forgiver, and King and the small groups had great material for presenting the message of Christ in a clear, understandable, and relevant way to the kids. We even had a parent come to check out what was going on and he seemed pleased with how open and non-pressured the club was. So please be in prayer for the kids who came out and their families! There are so many people here well acquainted with the terms of Christianity and the Name of Jesus, yet unaware of the meaning for them personally (similar to what we experience in Canada) so please pray that the truths these kids heard would penetrate their heart and that God's Spirit would move in them to bring understanding.
Last night we finished off the week with a BBQ at Hazel and Nev’s (EVERYONE who helped with the clubs plus more were invited - I don't know how Hazel does it). It was great "crack" and I was so over-tired that I had an uncontrollable laughing fit with Claire (one of the older Impact girls). Everyone was feeling the effects of the week which resulted in much levity and laughter. It was a great way to end off the week.