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News from the field - 2008 | |
Wednesday May 7, 2008 Honduras Training
In light of this, a few of the missionaries from the hospital community here received permission from the school principals at two of the local villages to go into the schools 2 mornings a week each to hold their own class. The main purpose for the class is to teach the students some basic english, geography, music and even some history. I have had the privilege of going with them each morning this week and helping to work with the students on their English. The missionaries have put most of the vocabulary they want to the students to learn into songs with catchy little tunes. The kids just love learning their colors, numbers, etc this way! They also have several scripture verse they have put to music and taught to the children - first in Spanish, then in English. Very effective. Today we went to the school in Balfate, only to find out they didn't have classes because of a Teacher's institute day. What a blessing it was when about 10 kids came out for our class anyway - even on their day off! Would you please keep these children in your prayers this week? Ask God to use what they are learning to help them to make a difference. Ask God to grant great wisdom to the missionaries who are leading this ministry/class as well. Tomorrow we will go back to the school in Lucinda, then on Friday we will drive into LaCeiba to hold our second Flannelgraph training workshop. We anticipate this to be a much larger group. Please ask God to go before us in working out any last minute logistics. Also, that He would speak through me, to share exactly what they most need to be able to minister effectively to the children He has entrusted to them. Thank you for your continued prayers! Melanie Derr
Sunday May 4, 2008 Honduras Training Hello from Sunny (and hot) Honduras! Kara Faull and I arrived safely, and we held our first Jesus film flannelgraph training workshop at the Loma de Luz Hospital complex this weekend. The hospital is located in a very rural area on te norhtern coast, about an hour and a half east of La Ceiba. This trip is extra special because Kara's parents, who are very dear friends of mine are medical missionaries here at the hospital. I am so blessed that Kara was able to come with me to help with the training and serve as a translator as well! She is doing a great job! Praise the Lord! We had 23 people come out for this weekend's training. They were such a fun group and so appreciative of the opportunity! It was very humbling for me to be able to serve them this way! They represented four of the local village's churches nearby. Most of them have not had any children's ministry experience (and little schooling) and this was something totally new for them! It was clear they were pretty nervous about it, but they all said one of the things They appreciated most was the fact that they could work in small groups and actively participate. It really helped them to feel more at ease. One church in particular had nine of their young people attend the training. The missionaries who have been leading their children's ministry are leaving to go back tothe States. This team will be taking over as of next week. So this training was very timely for them. It will be exciting to see how God uses this group in the weeks, months and years to come. Please pray for a young couple named Julyssa and Lucio. They are going to be the house parents for the new children's home that is getting ready to open here next week. Both are strong catholics and were not sure they wanted to come to a "Christian" class. We invited them to the training and they came the first night. They loved it! Unfortunately, they weren't able to come the second day since they had to work. They were so excited about the training that they want to come to the training in LaCeiba next week so they can finish! This morning I had the privilege of teaching a Sunday School class in a little church in the village of Lucinda nearby. They had about 50 kids there. I wish you could have heard them sing! It must have brought God joy to hear such praise! They were so special - I would have loved to bring most of them home with me! Please continue to pray for us this week. I am looking forward to having the opportunity to go and minister in some of hte local village schools and then on Friday we will travel into the city of LaCeiba to hold our second training workshop. At this point, we are expecting people from more than 24 churches to attend! Melanie Derr Click here to see new pictures of this project...
Sunday, April 27, 2008 Mexico City Training The “Final Exam” … that is when we see what the people have learned during the previous two days. It is always a highlight for me as I see the participant’s creativity unleashed and used to share God’s Word. This time, as well as the flannelgraph, they also used sock puppets, songs and memory verses in their presentations. They really did a great job. We also got to see what those in the clowning sessions had been working on. An added bonus was that the children attending the conference with their parents made a ready audience to practice on. Their rapt attention proved that the message was getting across! At the end of the conference, I spent some time talking with one pastor and his wife who lead a children’s cell group for 35 children twice a week. They were so appreciative of the many things they had learned and materials they had been given. Although some of the churches involved in this conference are large, their church is small with very few resources. “We love children, but don’t know the best way to teach them,” they said. “Thank you for all your help. When can you come again?” We have been invited back by the Pastor’s Alliance to lead further training in this southern area of Mexico City. They are excited to continue this partnership with KIDS. Becky Douglass Click here to see new pictures of this project...
Friday April 25, 2008 Mexico City Training Whew!!! This is the first time I have had the opportunity to sit down since we started training last night. As I write this email I can hear many different sounds coming from all over the church. In one room there is laughter as a group of people learn how to become clowns. Another room is very quiet as everyone is concentrating very hard as they sew the mouths into their sock puppets … some of the men have never handled a needle and thread before! In the final room I can hear the quiet buzz of conversation as small groups work on preparing their flannelgraph lessons under the instruction of Bernardo, our Mexican coordinator. These are the sounds of people learning to share the gospel with children in creative and effective ways. I am so glad to be a part of it!! There are about 100 people here and all of them have impressed me with their love for children and desire to learn new ways to communicate with them. Many of them are very talented children’s workers. It is a blessing to know that God is using them to share His love with the children of Mexico. Becky Douglass Click here to see new pictures of this project...
Wednesday March 26th Ecuador Playground Build You’ve probably noticed the emails are coming a day late…if not more. Sometimes we have a great internet connection and then sometimes….well it is the jungles of Ecuador! On Wednesday, our team traveled to the former home of Nate Saint, a missionary that was killed by the Huarorani Tribe in 1956, along with Jim Elliott, Ed McCully, Peter Fleming and Roger Youderian. These missionaries had been trying to reach out to this feared tribe with gifts. After several months they landed their plane 4 miles from the village along the riverside. On Sunday morning, January 3, 1956 they were all killed but their testimony and love for Jesus continued on. At that time their story was covered by several major publications and it was often credited as sparking an interest in foreign missions….men and their families who gave all for Jesus. It was inspiring to walk through the home and hear the story again with airplanes flying over head. We have been invited by the new Chief of this community to come back and build a playground for the Huaroroni children next to their school in the jungle. You just don’t know the impact a visit like this can make to the families that traveled with us. We then returned to the playground in Shell just so we could see the kids one more time. When they saw we were there they came running once again to greet us…the Pastor was there as well, excited about this project and the potential it gave to his Church to reach out to their community. In the afternoon, we returned to our hotel for an afternoon of rest before we would begin the full day’s journey back to Quito. The team has done a fabulous job, has completed their task and is excited about what they have accomplished and the people they have met. For the team! Jim Rosene Click here to see new pictures of this project...
Tuesday March 25th On Tuesday morning the team got up early, at least for 25 of us, and traveled 1 ½ hours to our next playground site. The last 45 minutes was on a rocky, bumpy, into the jungle kind of road, it was great…for some! At the end of the journey there was a small community with a small school and the thought of someone coming all the way to see them was unheard of. We rarely saw another vehicle come by the playground site except for the occasional bus, but that was all….we were definitely in a remote area! The 65 students, excited to see the bus pull up, ran out of the classrooms during class, and quickly greeted the team with hugs and “high-fives”! I think the teacher realized it would be impossible for the children to do “school” with all the Americans outside in their school yard. The playground team quickly went about their business of unloading the truck, pacing off the measurements of the site and placing a small flag at the site for each hole. The outreach team also went to work quickly….soccer balls were flying through the air, the parachute was at work again, this time crayons took the place of chalk and everyone was busy! The challenges of installing a playground in the jungle continue to challenge Jerry and the team, but they finished it just in time as the children came to the site for a puppet show, games and craft time. We met with the local Pastor, the community leaders and the school Director that were all thrilled with the playground and the gift we gave to the children of the community. Needless to say, after the 90 minute return ride everyone was tired but they quickly gained new energy as we returned to the first site for a playground dedication ceremony. At the end of the evening we didn’t have to tell the young people to go to bed…they were ready! Thanks for your prayers, support and encouragement….all is well in Ecuador!!! For the kids...around the world! Jim Rosene President, Kids Around the World Click here to see new pictures of this project...
Monday, March 24th Ecuador Playground Build The team arrived early Monday morning at the playground site in Shell, Ecuador. As Jerry and the playground team looked at the site they knew they were in for a challenge….it was flat and level but Jerry knew through his years of experience the sand was hiding something…rocks! Armed with shovels, picks, rakes and post hole diggers, the volunteers from Barrington, IL began working the land. Within a few minutes children began to gather at the site, most of them on their way to school. It didn’t take them long to realize this was for them and the Americans were wonderful people. Soon there were soccer and basketball games going on. The younger kids brought out their jump ropes and chalk. At 9:30 the “head” of the local school came looking for the children because they should’ve been in school. Needless to say she found them and as quickly as they came, they left! The playground team continued their faithful task of digging holes and finding rocks, but digging deeper to support the large uprights for the playground. Sand was being spread around the perimeter of the site and the swings were placed in their spot…the playground was beginning to take shape! At 1:00 school for the young children was over and immediately the children came running back to the site just to play with the American children and young people. The playground team finished their project, the sand was spread evenly across the area and they were tired….but the children still played. All day there was laughter and shouting, soccer and basketball, jump ropes and parachutes, chalk, chalk and more chalk, and no translator for this activity! Oh, there were a few high school students who were practicing their Spanish lessons but our translators were busy with other things and beside there would be no way to translate here…too many children! What made today work? It was the love and commitment of the Kids Around the World volunteers, digging, raking, pouring cement for the children and providing tireless activities…and the children played. For the team! Jim Rosene Click here to see pictures of this project...
Sunday, March 23rd But this is not why the team came to Ecuador. They came to build playgrounds for the children of Shell and Puyo and to share with them God’s love and message. As I write this message I am sitting outside, gazing at the beautiful foliage that makes up the jungle…the team is beginning to rise and meet their playground leader, Jerry Flaming. It is going to be hot and humid today, but they are excited and will work hard. Thanks for your prayers. Everyone is doing well, feeling great and excited to be in Puyo, Ecuador! For the team and Kids Around the World! Jim Rosene, President Click here to see pictures of this project...
Wednesday , March 12th
The local newspaper and TV stations covered the dedication with great interest and there were many pastors from the area visiting to see the impact this playground will have in the community. The pastor who worked with us, Miguel, was ecstatic to see the results and benefits to his people there. We are most blessed at these times- when we see the children play. We tend to forget the volcanic rock and the difficulties we had making it happen. We thank God for another chance to minister to families such as these. Thursday will find us on our way home (Judson students and Andrew will remain doing ministry until Saturday) and we are back to work Friday morning- working on the 2 upcoming Ecuador builds and praying for the same great results. For the kids, Click here to see pictures of this project.... Tuesday, March 11th We are expecting quite a few local government officials to attend the dedication as well as LOTS of kids. The history of the area we are ministering to is very interesting: La Romana is the 3rd largest city in the DR- boasting a population of 240,000. The playground site is located across the street from Esperanza School, a 1 room school approximately 25' square, which educates a total of 248 children in morning and afternoon shifts. There is also a nearby church, the Church of God, which has 100 members whose children will be able to use the playgroound as well. It is actually through a larger church, the Bethel Baptist Church, that mentors the Church of God, that we were directed to this site. Bethel's Pastor is Miguel P. Bonnet and he has been instrumental in putting this trip and playground together. The people in this neighborhood have traditionally been the poorest of the poor. They are called Bateye and live in shantytowns originally founded in the 1800's by the government of the Dominican Republic to house the sugar cane plantation workers. Most still work at the plantations or in construction as common laborers. I would also like to thank our Judson College volunteers, under the leadership of Erik Meredith and Andrew Vierling (KIDS Staff), for all of their hard work. The 7 gals and 3 guys really worked hard in the heat and humidity. We were also blessed with many local kids that helped dig and shovel dirt. It is always a blessing to be able to impact families such as these! Monday, March 10, 2008 La Romana, Dominican Republic
February 4, 2008 Dominican Republic - 100th Playground Dedication You wouldn't expect 'Payday" to be anything less than spectacular on our 100th playground build. After 99 playground dedications around the world, this 100th one had to be best. And it was. There were hundreds of kids that came in from the streets to enjoy the newest addition to the Cielo School. It was awesome to see how excited the kids were of the playground. It had really neat slides that split around a tree that the kids could race each other down on. It also had monkey bars that went from one deck to the other. In the corner of the playground are there was a helicopter whirl that spun the kids in the air. Near the entrance there were two whirls that were sure to make the kids dizzy. It was fantastic. And you could tell that the moment the kids were let into the park, they were going to enjoy it. It's hard to describe in words the scene this day. From the tearful dedication with Jack Larson and the Pauly's, to the overwhelming excitement and enthusiasm of the kids, this was a special day that many of us will remember for a long time. It was really sad to say goodbye to everyone as we all made such great new friends. It was also hard to say goodbye to our Dominican friends who made us feel so loved and special. We hope we can see each other again soon. But as I look back on the week I can't help but think about the impact we left on these people. The two playgrounds will certainly have a great impact on the kids that go to the hospital and Cielo school. They will enjoy 'being a kid' on these units for years to come.... But the greater impact that we left on the children of these communities can't be denied. We ministered to 100's if not 1,000's of kids and shared with them God's love. After one puppet and flannelgraph program to 150 adults and children in the waiting room of the hospital, Terri Hibbard gave an altar call. To our amazement, almost everyone in the room stood up and gave their life to the Lord! I couldn't believe it, and this wa after a simple message using a flannelgraph and some puppets! We saw God work in amazing ways and I for one feel blessed to have been part of it. Thank you all for your prayers and support for this project. I also want to thank each person that was involved on the trip for making this project one of the best we have ever done.... We look forward to working with each one of you again.... Chris Marshall Clcik here to see pictures of this project.
February 3, 2008 It was a wonderful sight … Almost 250 Sunday school teachers and Children’s Workers from all over the Dominican Republic crammed into the church building being challenged to reach their children with the good news of God’s salvation. Jim Rosene reminded them, “We still have work to do! You have the heart. You have the opportunities. We have given you the training and materials. Go to it! You have the potential to reach at least 12,500 children this year (50 per teacher)!” The training started on Friday night with long lines at the registration tables. Some people had traveled 3 hours just to be there. We offered three levels of training: the basic JESUS Film flannelgraph training, the Advanced training based on our Beginnings flannelgraph set, and special training for some who wished to begin the process of becoming trainers who can share this material with others in their churches. One lady in the trainer’s class shared that she regularly travels to a church in a small community on the north coast of the island. A Sunday school class of 10 children has grown to 150 in the past two years since she started using the lesson planning process and flannelgraph materials. However, when she is not there, the children do not attend because they find it boring without the methods and materials we have given her. “Can you help me share these things with the people there so that they can continue when I cannot be with them? The children need it all the time.” Other people had called Carlos, our KIDS Representative in the DR, pleading with him to arrange for us to come to their communities because they could not make the trip to Santo Domingo. It is always our desire to say YES to requests like this and so we are planning to make many more trips to the DR in the months ahead and to train local people to do the training themselves. Please consider sponsoring this project through the Change for Change program. Becky Douglass
January 31, 2008 Dominican Republic What do you do with over 200 excited, eager children? Share God’s love with them, of course! Last night we had the opportunity to lead a children’s program at the Cielo church while Jim Rosene preached to the adults. It was quite an experience! While some talked about God’s love through the singing, puppets and stories; others sat with the children and demonstrated God’s love by giving the children their time and attention. The kids drank it all in and responded enthusiastically. Because of the language and cultural barriers, it is sometimes hard to know just what the children are thinking. But the smiles on their faces tell you that even if they don’t understand all that you are saying, they do understand that you care. Our prayer is that they will see beyond us to the one who said, “Let the little children come to me.” Becky Douglass
January 31, 2008 Dominican Republic Today, we went to the only Leper colony left in the Dominican Republic. We came with 50 of our volunteers and our puppet team to encourage and love on these forgotten people. There are only 26 patients at the facility with the youngest one being 28 years old and the oldest (and most active) being 98. Two years til heaven he kept sayin'! We had such a great time. The people were so filled with love and joy it was amazing. They loved our puppet program and short lesson and some of them even danced during the songs. We were so glad we had a chance to do this. Later that evening we walked around the old town of Santo Domingo and had dinner in a really old building along the river. After that we came back to the hotel and had a little 100th Playground Celebration. It was a great time where we were able to look back on the first 100 playgrounds and recognize the people who made it happen. Thank you for your continued prayers for this project. Tomorrow are the dedications and we can't wait to see the children playing on the playgrounds. Chris Marshall Click here to see all the pictures of this trip....
As well as working at the hospital, we have also been doing ministry in the neighborhood around the build at Cielo. In the mornings, we have been doing school programs in three different schools. About 700 children have listened to the story of Jesus calming the Sea and learned that Jesus is always with them, even when they are afraid. They have enjoyed the puppets – especially Pablo who taught them the memory verse … “When I am afraid I will trust in you.” (Psalm 56:3) The past two afternoons, we have also gone to a local community center/baseball field to play with the children and share the gospel with them. Yesterday we had 50 children, today there would have been close to 150 there. It has been fun to play games, tell stories and do crafts with them. They love everything we do and we love them! As time permits, the team has also spent time walking the streets around Cielo, playing games, giving presents and praying with the children and their families. What a joy! Becky Douglass
January 30,2008 Dominican Republic 08 As usual, God had something to teach me today as I watched him at work through the ministry teams. I arrived at the hospital where we are building a playground and unpacked all the ministry items … flannelgraph set, easel, puppets, puppet stage, sound system … Where were the cords to hook up the sound system? Where was the puppet music CD? Oh no! What were we going to do? After a few hectic minutes searching for alternatives, we found a Spanish children’s CD (used for teaching them numbers, colors, etc), found a couple of songs we could use, turned up a boombox as loud as it would go and hoped for the best. The high school puppeteers didn’t know the songs, nor could they understand what they were saying because they were in Spanish. So the hospital chaplain who knew some English translate the words for them, as the songs were playing, so that they could do some appropriate motions. Manos arriba (hands up!); manos abajo (hands down!). They did a great job and caught on very quickly! The puppets were followed by a flannelgraph lesson - Jesus healing Jairus’ daughter. Terri, our story lady, and her translator did a wonderful job of sensitively sharing how important everyone is to Jesus – even those who are sick. The team moved from waiting room to waiting room. One place was mainly young mothers and their children who were in the nutritional feeding program. The next area was mainly adults – about 75-100 in all. The final room had a mixture of adults and children. All enjoyed the program immensely, joined in the motions (even the adults) and listen carefully to the Bible lesson. At the end of each session, the chaplain prayed with the people. After lunch, the team went back to the adult waiting room to share their program again. This time, after talking with the chaplain, Terri presented the Gospel to them. When she gave them an opportunity to respond by standing and praying with her, almost everyone in the room stood up! We have no idea of what was on the minds of all those who stood, but they will be followed up by the chaplain and her staff who share the Gospel everyday there. God is great! He can take our problems … no CD, no sound system … and turn them into opportunities for Him to do great things. What an important reminder! Please continue to pray for the ministry teams. They will continue to share programs in the schools over the next couple of days and will also visit the hospital where we built a playground last year. Becky Douglass Click here to see pictures of the project........
January 29, 2008 Dominican Republic - 100th Build Today we finished both playgrounds. The volunteers fastened on the last few pieces and then the cement was poured. After that the volunteers tackled the snad pile and by the end of the day, the playground was finished.... During the day, while the construction team was building, we had a chance to go into the hospital where we were building and conduct a few programs for the kids in the waiting areas. There were several area where small children were as well as adults. This was a great opportunity to share with them about Christ while they wait for their doctors. We set up a puppet stage and a flannelgraph in front of everybody and the team went to work. The music was in Spanish and lively and the children and adutlts really got into it. After the puppet performance we had a flannelgraph lesson and an altar call. We were so surprised to see almost the whole room stand up to accept Christ. There were around 100 adults in the room besides children. It was incredible to hear them repeat the sinnner's prayer and make committments to follow the Lord . We couldn't believe that our simple message had such a great impact. Praise God!! After a day like today we are fired up for tomorrow. We will have several ministry opportunities in the local schools, the community center, and then at the church services later tomorrow night.... Thank you for all of your prayers for us. Things are going so well. Keep us in your prayers as we coninue to minister to the children in the Dominican Republic... Chris Marshall Click here to see more pictures of the project.......
January 28, 2008 Dominican Republic Good evening from the Dominican, the site of our 100th playground build. We have had an exciting start to this milestone playground. 50+ volunteers are here from all over the states to help us construct 2 playgrounds. One is at a hospital and the other is at a school called Cielo. The volunteers started out strong and by the end of the day we had a good part of the playgrounds finished. They both are beautiful units on great locations. Many kids will enjoy these playgrounds for years to come... Besides the playgrounds, we did ministry with the school kids at Cielo. Our ministry team led a kids program with puppets, games, crafts, and a flannelgraph lesson. There were about 50 kids and they really enjoyed the program. These kids are extremely affectionate and you can tell they love us being there with them. Tomorrow we will pour concrete at the hospital and finish the main unit at Cielo. We will also be doing kids programs at the hospital, church, and at a community center. Please pray for the continuing ministry this week and for the safety of the team.... Jerry Flaming Click here to see pictures of this trip.....
What a great team! It was so fun to watch our ministry team do their stuff today. We had puppeteers animating their puppets to sing songs and teach memory verses. Our “story lady” captured the kids’ attention with the story of the Lost Lamb. The children’s laughter was contagious as they were led in games with the parachute. The song leaders taught new songs with fun hand motions. The translators bridged the language barrier between the leaders and kids and many hands pitched in to help the children do the craft. Above all, the team loved the children … they were truly Christ’s hands and feet, sharing God’s love with the children. I’m not sure which I enjoyed more – the smiles on the faces of the children, or the joy in the eyes of the team as they saw the children respond to what they were doing. Becky Douglass Click here to see pictures of this trip.....
Saturday January 26, 2008 A lead team has been in the Dominican Republic a couple of days early preparing for the 100th build of KATW! We shipped in 3 playgrounds- 2 for assembly next week, and 1 that will be assembled in a few months by students from Judson College.
Friday January 11, 2008 Marco Presbyterian Church, Florida We are resting up tonight after a busy day today. We built a beautiful 4' high white fence around the area. We also backfilled some areas and laid 5 skids of sod to finish the landscaping of the playground.
Tuesday January 8th, 2008 Marco Presbyterian Church, Marco Island, Florida We arrived Thursday night and started preparing the site Friday morning. We moved approximatley 150 yards of dirt from a burm area to level the area for the construction of the playground. Click here to view pictures of this project....
Click here to view News From the Field from 2007.... |
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| Kids Around the World | 2424 Charles
St. | Rockford, Ill. | 61108 | 815-229-8731 © 2006 - Kids Around the World |
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