The Public School

Friday we went back to spend the day at Arise, but on this day we had the most unique opportunity!  We had the priviledge of spending the morning at a Public School.  Bridgette, who is over the kids club at Arise goes to the neighorhood public school every Friday to teach the kids a bible lesson.  Since our team was there, we were able to take over and do 2 school assemblys for the kids.  Our team was in shock that we were able to walk into a public school and share the gospel with all the kids.  There is no separation of church and state in SA which in many ways is amazing!  

We had one assembly for Kindergarten-2nd graders and one assembly for 3rd-5th grade. We sangs songs, performed a skit, and taught a bible lesson to them.  We were able to present a clear Gospel presentation, which was just so cool.  The kids seemed to really love it all!

We did the song, "Ha la la la" with them over and over again. The kids at Redeemer LOVE this song and the kids in Africa LOVED this song!
One of the teammates made a coloring sheet with a bible verse and "Jesus Loves Me" on it.  All the kids took the coloring sheet to their classroom with them and colored it in class.  I mean can you imagine that happening in the USA?  It was really encouraging.  One of the teachers is Muslim, but she was still all about us teaching about Jesus to these kids!

These faces are just incredibly beautiul to me.

We did a skit that included the South African flag, which the kids loved!

We had so much fun with these sweet children.

At the end of each assembly Bridgette stood up and talked to the kids about safety.  It was heartbreaking to hear her tell the kids that they need to take care of themselves because their were people out there who would hurt them.  She tallked to them about kidnapping, alcohol, abuse and sexual molestation.  She talked openly with these kids about this, because in this community these things are happening ALL THE TIME.  These kids were getting ready to go on their summer hoiliday (it is summer in SA) and for them this is a risky time.  Most of these kids do not have parents who are looking out for them and taking care of them. Even at 6 years old many of them are fending for themselves.  

It was hard to not want to stick some of these kids in our suitcases and bring them back with us, but thankfully they have people like Bridgette (and many others) who is doing all she can to help these children.  

In the afternoon we did another kids club at Arise.  This time we did a program for 6th-8th graders.  We were able to have a really cool worship time with them where we sang both an African song and several of our worship songs.  We did the same with them as we did on Wednesday where we met in small groups and talked through the Gospel.  It was a really sweet time with these children.  

One funny thing:  2 of the girls were OBSESSED with my hair.  Many of them are never really around white people and they thought my hair was so soft and unique.  They pretty much wanted to play with it the whole time I was with them.  

I really loved our time at Arise and am so thankful we were able to partner with them!