Monday 2-4 October. We ended up with 20 children coming along to the holiday club in Esperance. Quite a lot had been before but we did have about 7 new children who came. We had Breanna and Amber who are in year 7 help out as junior leaders and they did very well. They organised the craft, ran the games as well as helping the children out with their activities and taking the photos for the Spotlight on VBS video. My sister-in-law Addie came each morning and prepared morning tea and lunch for us which was a great help. The program of Everest is fantastic and the use of the “dog tags” with the app is always a great way to reinforce the bible verses. It was nice to have a little more time to get through the program and we all had a wonderful time.

GFS KidsPlus+ Caravan Trip brings the story of Christ’s acceptance to rural towns.  Children’s ministry in the country is alive and well! A recent GFS KidsPlus+ Caravan Trip received a warm welcome from the towns of Bruce Rock and Wongan Hills. The GFS KidsPlus+ Caravan ministry is a century old tradition to take programs for children to rural areas. Two GFS Fieldworkers were able to take a round trip to the wheat belt and help connect children and families with Christ. The fields of canola were in bright bloom but the brightest blooms were the smiling faces of kids who experienced the “Weird Animals” holiday club program. “Weird Animals” reminds us that we are all individuals, we are all different – but we are all welcome into the arms of a loving God. Weird animals like the star-nosed mole might crawl through the dark, sometimes lost and uncertain; and frilled neck lizards might run in fear but God brings us through our dark times and even in our fears, God will be with us. Every “Weird Animal” has a craft item, a story and a reminder from the Scriptures that God remains faithful to promises of love and strength for the journey of life.

 

Building on existing children’s clubs within Bruce Rock and Wongan Hills, there was a great number of kids who came along for the day-long program in each town. The hospitality of local people and their support in attending as volunteer back-up leaders was a great reminder that a visit from “city-folk” like GFS Fieldworkers is an encouragement. The Parishes of both towns visited expressed their appreciation for a special event that draws together the children of the community, provides fun crafts and games, and builds up the kids’ faith in God. GFS Caravan Trips are truly fun for kids, leaders and even the Fieldworkers, but the greatest value is in the connections between local children and families with the positive message of Christ.

 

 

Due to World Council we decided to not run holiday clubs at the first and second term holidays but have a holiday club/camp in the September holidays. It was held at Ern Halliday Recreation Centre Hillary’s, Monday 25 – Wednesday 27 September.

 

We started with a family evening at 5pm with games and a bbq dinner, we had 9 children sleep over the first night and 10 the second night with Peter, Alison and myself as leaders. We had two older children Hannah and Liam assist in a leadership role during the camp as well. During the day on Tuesday we had another 6 children coming for the day and a visit from Des & Delein, Josie and Sharon and David. We used the Everest program and the activities, stories and crafts went down a treat. It was unfortunate there was not more time to fully utilise the program but they still enjoyed the content. As always the first night of camp is very exciting and usually they are not asleep before midnight – this was not the case with them all asleep before 10.30pm!!!

 

A couple of children has their first time away from home and did very well – always a great achievement for them to do this – parents struggle more than the children probably! This is a great site and we will be returning there for camp this July school holidays.