New Children's Ministries Underway!

Hello everyone!

We're excited to show and tell about the "English clubs" that we're starting here in Croatia.

This previous Saturday was our first English club at one of two locations.

This one was hosted at a church member's apartment in the south of the city, and we have 9 kids who will be coming at this location.

Ivan and Marina (the husband and wife that live here) wanted to do something good for their local community.

The young girl (Iris) holding the potato and chicken leg squeaky toy in the picture above is one of Ivan and Marina's daughters.

Their kids and the relationship they have with the other kids in their neighborhood inspired Ivan and Marina to offer some kind of free English classes.

They want to build the bond between the kids, and show meaningful love to their families.

A free English class is a big deal. Especially taught by Americans (and especially on Saturday at grocery-shopping time).

Since Savannah and I both studied teaching in college (she teaching children, and I teaching English as a foreign language), we've been planning this ministry with them for months.

There's something special (or should I say chaotic?) about teaching a group of kids that know each other well.

We had no problems with low energy or timidity.

One of the activities that we designed for this week involved choosing a crazy outfit and introducing yourself as someone new to the other kids.

They all loved it.

We're hoping to offer a much different experience than the kids get in school. The kids tell us they're always reading or writing (maybe sometimes listening) in English class, but almost never speaking.

We want to build their confidence and the fun they have using English.

Building a bond between the congregation and the kids, and between the kids themselves is one of our main goals.

We hope that this English Club can show them the Church isn't just a Sunday singing group for people who like Jesus, but that we're in our community, loving God and loving others in meaningful ways, and that they are a part of that.

Next Saturday we have another English Club at the church-building (more in the northeast part of the city). So far 17 kids have signed up! But we'll tell more about that next week. Until then, please pray that God will give us wisdom to see His plan in this ministry. Peace.