Anna

Today was a great day of preparing for Holiday Club within our individual teams! We cut, glued, colored, and all sorts of things today while preparing the crafts and games for the children. We went through the curriculum dividing up tasks as to who did what. Me? (Those of you at FBCOB will understand this). I get to be Bro. Keith for a few weeks and I am PUMPED! When the local volunteers and our LSE (Life Skills Educator- chief local volunteer) began talking about how they needed new games to play with the children, I said to myself, "I didn't go to all those years of Day Camp and VBS for nothin. I'll do it!" Haha Oh boy. What did I get myself into? And did I mention that I get a whistle? Heck yes! Needless to say, I'm racking my brain for all of those fun games we grew up playing and I can't wait to see the kid's faces as they are playing them. They are going to be so excited to learn new games.

There is a sad part to this story, however. I was going through a book of games that we had in the resource room at the Living Hope Center and I found myself needing to skip over a ton of games because of the words "Materials Needed." Living Hope's resources are scarce. This is a problem that I, my American self, just did not even assume existed. At VBS, if someone was out of something, one of the volunteers would hop in their suburban or minivan, drive to Wal-Mart or Michaels, and buy it. Simple as that. But it's just not like that here. Items like popsicle sticks and construction paper are rare commodities. It breaks my heart that such a wonderful ministry has to ration it's resources to the point that they must avoid certain activities due to a lack of supplies. I just never imagined.

The other part of this that I didn't forsee? When I was looking at games, there were certain ones that I said, "Oh, we could do that!" There was a game involving a couple of rolls of toilet paper. But upon thinking a bit further, I realized that this would be a big no-no in townships. These people would see toilet paper as something that should never ever be wasted. How ironic is it that we will use toilet paper for many things other than its intended purpose, and not think twice about it. And that's okay, I'm not doggin' that at all, it's just SO odd to me that even a silly game involving toilet paper is something to be avoided. Lots of things to think about here. Lots of issues to consider.

Please Pray for the community of Capricorn and the sweet children and teens that we will be working with over the next four weeks. I absolutely cannot WAIT to begin playing games and spending time with their beautiful faces. Sharing stories from God's Word is going to be so fun! One word. Skits. :) Twill be HILARIOUS!
Went to a bakery today. It was legit. And cheap.

I started over in Luke again today and read something interesting. I should also mention that everyone here calls me Anna. I kind of like it, and it's so much easier for people to remember, especially the locals. I started out using Anna-Catherine and they all just gave me the weirdest looks. So I decided Anna would be just fine for a few weeks. I promise this relates to the Scripture haha.
"There was also a prophetess, Anna, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was very old; she had lived with her husband seven years after her marriage, and then was a widow until she was eight-four. She never left the temple but worshiped night and day, fasting and praying. Coming up to them at that very moment, she gave thanks to God and spoke about the child to all who were looking forward to the redemption of Jerusalem." Luke 2:36-38. 
I got so excited when I read that. Having become used to being called Anna for almost a week now, I just really want to channel this woman. I never want to leave the temple (which would be the Holy Spirit in me). I want to tell all of the redemption that is found in Jesus! Wow. This woman was a prophetess. I am definitely not a prophetess. But she was relentless in her prayer and fasting. That's what I want. Ceaseless prayer. Ceaseless worship.

Praying for You and Striving to Serve Him,
Anna