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Thursday, August 20, 2009

Day Four

We were very much aware of God’s sustaining and enabling today in answer to your prayers.

 
Given that it was even wetter to begin with this morning than yesterday it was amazing that the older children were able to be outside for games in the sunshine. It started raining again soon afterwards too. Isn’t God good?
 
The children continue to encourage us by their attentiveness and participation. It was great to see the preschool children dancing along with the praise today – and joining in with some of the simpler refrains. So natural…why do we lose this when we grow up?
 
The call to ‘turn away from your sins and believe the good news’ was clearly presented today and we trust that in God’s time many who heard will respond to this invitation and come to personal faith in Jesus. Pray that there may be opportunities to point individual children to Jesus tomorrow and that we will have wisdom in dealing with any enquiries that there may be.
 
Tomorrow our theme will be ‘Real Life’ and we will be thinking together about what it means to live as children of God. Pray that this will be an encouragement especially to those who already belong to Jesus.
 
We have had a clear sense of being shielded by God’s presence in the auditorium and in our groups each morning this week and although we are aware of various ways in which the evil one has tried to hinder us, we rejoice that by God’s grace he has not been able to succeed. Please pray for God’s continuing protection on us so that as a team we may stand firm and finish well.
 
Pray for meaningful contacts with parents tomorrow night at our barbecue and fun night. Pray that as they meet with us tomorrow night, as they talk with their children about what they have learned and as they perhaps see them growing in faith, parents too will be drawn to Jesus.
 
Pray for effective follow up beyond this week – that as a church we will be able to build on the relationships that have been established with children and their families. Pray especially that those with no church connection will be drawn into the life of the church and that in God’s time become fully devoted followers of Jesus.
 
Oh – and a dry night tomorrow night would be a big help…
 
May God bless you richly as you have blessed us this week by your prayers.
 
Paul Cameron

Posted by Paul Cameron at 11:48:14 PM in Blog (4) | Comments (0)

Wednesday, August 19, 2009

Day Three

The number of children attending remains around 250 each day. It is great to see them listening and taking part so well both when we are together and when we split into different age groups. They seem to be entering well into the programme and enjoying the various activities that are provided for them. Some of them came on stage today and amazed us with their talents for singing, playing instruments and telling jokes!

We are privileged to have a great team of musicians who lead us in praise each day. This helps to create an atmosphere of joyful worship and it is good to see children joining in with this. Please continue to pray for Nigel and his team as they lead us in praise each day.
 
In our pantomime today we watched as the prodigal son’s friends all ran out on him and later we contrasted this with the love of the father in this story who, in spite of what he had done, never stopped loving him and was always waiting and longing for him to come home. 
 
Please pray with us that through the story telling, small group discussions, memory verses, songs and talks each day the children will come to ‘know and rely’ on the love that God has for them.
 
Tomorrow our theme is ‘Real Faith’ and our focus is on the prodigal ‘coming to his senses’ and returning to the warm embrace of the father. Please pray that God’s Spirit will apply the message of this to each heart and that significant steps of faith will be taken.
 
Please continue to pray for us as a team – and especially those in positions of responsibility. We need God’s wisdom as we plan and prepare for each day. We need patience and stamina to keep going. We need real love for each other and for the children in our groups.
 
Our limited faith was rebuked today. At 9.00 we prayed that the rain would clear up so that we could be outside for games. We didn’t expect that the ground would dry up as well in such a short space of time – but it did!
 
Let’s ask in faith for great things this week – that we would see God at work in the little things that make a difference – such as the weather – and in the big things that really matter - such as children and families being transformed by the Good News with which we have been entrusted.
 
Thank you for the encouragement and assurance that comes to us through your prayers.
 
Paul Cameron

Posted by Paul Cameron at 8:41:56 PM in Blog (4) | Comments (0)

Tuesday, August 18, 2009

Day Two

We had another great morning at holiday club today. Everything behind the scenes, on stage and in groups seemed to run very smoothly. There was a greater sense of calm today as children and team members settled into the routine.
 
The children are responding well and it was encouraging again today to see a variety of team members, young and old, rising to the challenge of new responsibilities.
 
Please continue to pray for safety for the children and vigilance on the part of each team member. We had a potentially dangerous incident on Monday when one of the younger children escaped on to the Belmont Road before being rescued by an adult and returned home safely.
 
Tomorrow we will be thinking about ‘Real Love’ – focusing especially on the love that God has shown by sending Jesus to die for us. Pray that each child will come to know and experience this love for themselves and grasp something of the wonder of what Jesus did for them on the cross.
 
Pray for all those taking part in the programme tomorrow – leading praise, taking part in drama, teaching a memory verse, giving a talk, organising games and crafts – that God will give them all the wisdom and skill they need to communicate effectively with the children.
 
Pray for those leading small groups – that their groups will settle, that they will be able to show love even to the most difficult children, that God will guide the conversations that take place and that there may be opportunities to help children come to know Jesus for themselves.
 
Pray for all those working behind the scenes – preparing refreshments, operating the sound system or data projector, directing traffic, welcoming children, greeting parents - that they will each be encouraged in the vital part they play.  
 
Thank you once again for your prayers.
 
Paul Cameron

Posted by Paul Cameron at 8:36:45 PM in Blog (4) | Comments (0)

Day One

We had a very encouraging start to holiday club today. Everything ran very smoothly and the children seemed to settle quickly – things that don’t always happen on the first day. 

Those who have joined the team or who are taking up roles for the first time this year (there are lots of new faces up front, in small groups and behind the scenes) seemed to cope with it all very well and have hit the ground running!

It was particularly encouraging to see so many young people actively involved – taking part in the drama, teaching a memory verse, singing and doing actions, organising games, opening the Bible with children in small groups. They have risen to the challenge magnificently and their enthusiasm is an inspiration to those of us who have been around for a while.

We have around 260 children registered. The youngest and oldest groups are both full but there are still some places left in the P2-P3 and P4-P5 groups. We had to turn some children away who wanted to join the groups that are full and we know that has meant disappointment for some. However the small groups into which the children are divided – with up to ten children per adult leader – are definitely benefiting from having a more manageable number of children in them than was the case last year. We want leaders to be able to engage meaningfully with the children in their groups and it is good to see this already begin to happen.

Give thanks for the team that God has brought together this week. Pray that we will relax and enjoy the week - and that we will allow God to work through us.

Give thanks for the young people who are part of the team and who have been so willing to serve in different ways. Pray that they will be encouraged in their faith and service this week.

Pray that leaders will know how to relate to each of the children in their groups and have opportunities to share their faith with them.

Pray that the Father’s love will become real to many children this week.

Tomorrow’s theme is ‘The Real You’. Pray that the Holy Spirit will help each child to see themselves as God sees them – sinful but infinitely precious to Him.

We are very aware that any real ministry that takes place this week will be the result of your prayers – so thank you for your part you play by your prayers in securing God’s blessing for the children of our church and community and in releasing us as a team to share His love with them.

 

 

Posted by Paul Cameron at 8:26:35 AM in Blog (4) | Comments (0)