"We will not hide them from their children, telling to the generation to come the praises of the Lord and His strength and His wonderful works that He has done." Psalm 78:4 This is my ministry verse; the verse that pushes me to reach and teach children. Psalm 78 is a history lesson for the Jewish nation and tells the story from the time of slavery in Egypt to David's reign. The parents had to teach the children of all the things that God had done in the past. Without passing this history on to the children, the mighty acts of God would have been forgotten. The rest of the chapter recalls the history of how God took care of all the needs they had as they made their way to the promised land. It was a reminder to me of why God specifically called me to the ministry. I have to invest in the future generation if the church is to have a future. It's not a ministry of babysitting and keeping the kids busy, but one of helping them realize their need for a savior. It's helping them grow as Jesus did "in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men."
I am seeing this verse lived out this week! I have the opportunity to help a friend with a community music camp for children. It has been an absolute blast being with the kids , the teen and adult volunteers, and the director. The children are spending the week in Bible study, playing games, doing crafts, and learning about music. We are working on a musical that will be presented to the community on Saturday night. Today I helped Lynn, the director, as she listened to each child sing so we could assign the 34 solos and 25 speaking parts to the 56 kids. After just two days, the kids were able to sing one of the songs with just the music tracks. They have had the cd to listen to before the week started, but to hear them sing today was amazing. Each child does have two Bible verses to learn for the presentation so I issued a challenge to them today. If they could say each verse to me, I would let them sign my arm with a sharpie! (Yes, a sharpie but I do have a secret for getting it off--OFF bug spray!) It's a great moivation to memorize your verses when you can write on a grown-up's arm! I have several names on my arms from today and am expecting many more before the week's end. I had one little girl try several times today before she could write on my arm. More about her later!
This week reminds me of why I do what I do! Lynn and I worked with each group as they all sang a solo part. Some were eager to sing while others had to be pushed just a little. We then spent over two hours after camp matching parts and kids together. Along the way she was telling me about the past music camps and stories about some of the kids. There were several times today that I had 'freeze bumps' on my arms. I have been so very blessed already from the week. At first, I just wanted to be there to just help Lynn with things, but God knew what I needed and has sent 56 smiling faces to greet me each day. I have been able to connect with some of the kids, share with a few parents, and make new friends. I know Saturday will be amazing as we are allowed to see what God is going to do through these kids.
The sweet girl I spoke of earlier goes to church with me. She has always been on the shy side, but now I have a friend for life!!! She worked and worked on her verse today so she could write her name on my arm. I saw her after camp this afternoon. She had just gotten in the car and buckled up but had to get out to give me a hug and show her brother where she wrote on my arm! That was just one of my "God hugs" for the day. I can't wait for more tomorrow!!
Well, I guess I need to find a way to end this for the night. I'm not sure there will be a new post every few days, but I will post again after the presentation on Saturday. I will probably have leaky eyes but that's okay. A friend told me recently that is how God made me and He understands!! And as the kids are learning this week, "We are fearfully and wonderfully made in the image of God. We are His greatest creation!"
Blessings, Love and Light!
Miss Becky
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