A Time Away From The Barrio

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This year, Glenda and I with our Saturday youth group decided we needed to make some new and improved changes for our program. First we wanted to bring the Gospel to the 75 plus children that come every Saturday. We divide the children into 3 age groups. Carolina has the very small children from ages 4 to 7. Kenia has ages from 8-10. Glenda has ages from 11-14. With Kenia’s and Glenda’s group we purchased youth activity books that has Bible stories, activities, games and stories that relate to there age group and different levels as they grow in there faith walk. The kids love the books. However we would like for the children to learn commitment and responsibility. We have always given hugs, love, discipline, and taught them how to take care of the school grounds and each other. This year we want to teach them responsibility to a team. So with the two older classes we have installed a rewards program for those who have perfect attendance every 3 months. With Glenda’s group she has 18 children who come regularly but only 10 come every Saturday. So in February Glenda announced that those who come every Saturday will be able to go to the rented soccer courts. The kids were thrilled. The 10 you see in the photos are those who went. They played boys against girls and many of you know our girls love for Michael to play with them and to get them pumped up to win. Years past they would sit on the side lines and wish and then they would say they couldn’t. Now they try to win and try hard. In the beginning of the game it was difficult but after they got their first goal they were pumped to give it there all. We played on a Saturday morning when it is a little cooler but when we finished they were dragging and sore. The kids are looking forward to the end of another 3 months so they can have a rematch and hopefully with more kids. The word is spreading and many want to try to work with a team and be together on those Saturdays instead of being home and bored. We feel if we can teach them this responsibility they will be using it in their lives and church lives.