Previous Challenge Entry (Level 1 – Beginner)
Topic: Concentration (07/24/08)
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TITLE: Songs, Stories, and Games | Previous Challenge Entry
By Wanda Draus
07/31/08 -
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A year later on our local news, two young girls were found murdered on a dirt road. They were two beautiful girls, best friends, eight and nine years old, their life gone by a senseless act. It was shortly after that I received a letter in the mail asking for prayers for the families of the two girls and that both girls attended a Good News Club at their school. Tears flowed as I said a prayer of thanks that these young girls knew the Savior through this program and was resting in His hands. The letter from CEF (Child Evangelism Fellowship), stated that “86% of Christians today were saved before they were 15 years old, 10% between the ages of 15-30, and 4 % after 30 years old.”
I felt ashamed that I let a year go by knowing there was a need and knowing I could fill it. I searched for the church directory to call Carol, the woman who has led these clubs for the last ten years in our small town. Carol indicated that I would have to take a few classes, twelve if I remember correctly, and learn their method of sharing the gospel with children. It was a very intense course and a wonderful experience. After the lessons were completed I was ready to share the gospel using the wordless book, teaching the bible story on a flannel graph board, teaching songs and playing games.
I have spoken to women’s groups and led women’s ministry, but my first day looking into the eyes of fifty kids, I could barely stop my knees from shaking. Week after week we sang songs, read the missionary story and also played games. One of the most anticipated games that the kids loved was the game, Concentration.
Concentration is a game where twenty or so cards are placed faced down. All the kids sit in a circle and they get to choose two cards, when they turn the cards face up there is a fact about Jesus or the missionary story. If the cards have matching facts then the player gets the cards but, if the card does not match then they are turned faced down and the turn goes to the next player. Of course the kid who really concentrated and had the most pairs, won.
As I would pick up the cards and watch the kids scurry to get their books and their new memory verse, a sense of joy would fill me. I started out thinking that God would use me to be a blessing to the children but each and every time for the last three years, I am the one who is blessed.
I have recently relocated from this small town but the memories of the Good News Club, the stories, the games, will remain with me forever. I am so thankful that I did not miss this opportunity to be blessed.
Then were there brought unto Him little children, that he should put His hands on them and pray: …Suffer the little children, and forbid them not to come unto me… Matt 19: 13-14.KJV
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