Loved, Forgive, and Welcomed Home

We love the holiday season because it means kiddos have more free time to hear the Good News, experience Jesus’ love in action, and, of course, have some fun!

During the September/October holiday, we focused on sharing the story of the Prodigal Son (Luke 15). Thanks to four amazing volunteers from Montana and numerous volunteers from the Howick area, we brought the message of God’s unconditional love to life through a skit.

The kiddos saw how the Father allowed His son to make his own choices, even though it broke His heart. They witnessed the forgiveness the Father extended when His son returned and how, instead of responding with shame or punishment, Ge welcomed him home with a celebration!

Throughout the week, the kiddos memorized Luke 15:32, reminding them that God rejoices when His lost children are found.

Howick South

We kicked off the week in Howick South with a sports day! After the skit, we divided the kiddos into age groups and rotated through soccer, volleyball, and relay races. The laughter filling the top field was contagious! We started with fewer than 30 kiddos and ended the day with over 100! The kiddos also got creative, making colorful collages representing the robe the father placed on his son and rings symbolizing his love and forgiveness.

At the end of our sports time, we encouraged the kiddos to reflect on the story and what Jesus was teaching us through it. They traced outlines of their bodies and, alongside our volunteers, talked about the ways God shows His love for them.

Thursday brought another fun-filled morning in Howick South with an art workshop! The kiddos created colorful paintings decorated with glitter, sequins, and confetti. They also traced and decorated crosses, reminding them that their mistakes will never cause God to stop loving them.

What was so beautiful was how well the kiddos remembered the Father's celebration when his son returned home. Our prayer is that they carry this truth in their hearts: they never have to hide from their Heavenly Father when they make mistakes. They can always run to Him, knowing they are loved, forgiven, and welcomed with joy.

And what better way to end our time in Howick South than with a movie night? Of course, we watched Sing 2, enjoyed delicious popcorn and ice cream cones, and listened to the kiddos sing along to their favorite songs. It was priceless!

Friday brought us back to Shiyaz, but with a twist. It was WATER SPORTS DAY!!! The sun was shining, and over 100 kiddos arrived ready to get soaked! Some came in shorts, others in swimsuits, but everyone was ready for some water-filled fun.

Through sponge races, fishing, a water slide, and water squirting games, we reminded the kiddos that just as they were being drenched in water, God desires to saturate each of them with His love.

One of the funniest moments was watching the kiddos squeeze sponges between their legs and wobble their way across the racing lane. The laughter was endless! Through all the splashing, racing, and excitement, we wanted the kiddos to walk away knowing one simple truth: there is no place too far and no mistake too big for God's love to reach them.

Mathandobisi

God has blessed us with an amazing connection in Mathandobisi through the principal of a local crèche who graciously allows us to use her space. It's a cozy little front yard that God expands every time the kiddos arrive! All we have to do is blast the speaker, walk through the community, and before we know it, the kiddos start showing up!

About a year ago, we connected with four lovely teenage boys from this community. They joined us on a hike and attended some of our holiday youth outreaches. Since then, we've had the privilege of staying connected with them, encouraging them, and praying for them.

This time, something special happened. They stepped up to lead! One of the boys helped lead a group of younger kiddos, explaining the games, patiently assisting them with their crafts, and encouraging them along the way. Another boy stepped forward to pray over our time together, asking God for His protection over each child.

Watching these boys grow from simply attending our outreaches to actively serving and encouraging the younger generation was such a beautiful moment. It reminded us that the seeds planted through every conversation, prayer, game, and moment spent together truly matter.

This is why we do what we do. Not simply to fill the holidays with fun activities, but to share the love of Jesus, walk alongside these kiddos as they grow, and disciple the next generation to know God and make Him known.

Shiyaz

Tuesday was a cool afternoon spent in Shiyaz! Along with soccer, volleyball, and relay races, the kiddos got to play duster hockey. If there's one thing about these kiddos, it's that they are SUPER competitive and love scoring goals! Our newspaper hockey sticks didn't stand a chance against the strength and determination of these players. Watching how determined they were to win gave us the perfect opportunity to remind them of how steadfast God's love is for each of His children.

Thursday morning, we gathered again for an art workshop with a lovely group of 12- and 13-year-old boys. We focused on their identity in the Lord through an art project centered around their names. We got to hear the stories behind their names, learn what they meant, and discover more about each boy. It was such a special opportunity to remind them that they are fearfully and wonderfully made and that God's love for them is unconditional.

God's love in action!