We’ve had a wonderful last week with the one day children’s Christmas event last Wednesday and then our final meeting for the year with the women’s groups this Tuesday, when we had a Christmas celebration and a time of reflection on 2023.
Children's Christmas Event
This day was similar to one of our days of a VBS. We hosted 129 children, ages 6-13 (50, ages 6-9 and 79, ages 10-13). Since the women would be running everything, we went over the entire day with them in the couple weeks leading up to the day. They all volunteered in various capacities. Some stepped up to help during the lesson time, when they hadn’t done that in the past, which was good to see their willingness.
I (Andrew) picked up the women early who were cooking and preparing lunch and took them to the church (We have been very blessed to be able to use a church that is between where we live and the high density area for our children’s programs). A traditional Christmas meal in Zimbabwe is chicken and rice, so that’s what we served for lunch.The day before, these women helped prepare vegetables at our home and Mai Innocent prepared all the potatoes and carrots. She and Yolanda made chicken stock from scratch.
I (Andrew) picked up the women early who were cooking and preparing lunch and took them to the church (We have been very blessed to be able to use a church that is between where we live and the high density area for our children’s programs). A traditional Christmas meal in Zimbabwe is chicken and rice, so that’s what we served for lunch.The day before, these women helped prepare vegetables at our home and Mai Innocent prepared all the potatoes and carrots. She and Yolanda made chicken stock from scratch.
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They cook over an open fire, so they got that running and got going on lunch. The caretaker of the church filled large containers of water in the days leading up to the event, so there would be water to cook with, wash dishes, wash hands, and use for the toilets. This is city water and not good to drink. We carted several containers of water from our home, which is clean to drink. This time, instead of using cups, which need to be washed between uses and children inevitably share, we decided to give everyone individual water bottles. This would allow each child to have water with them the entire time and when they needed more, they could refill from our containers. We thought this would help from a health and safety perspective, but would also save time not washing cups. One of the women volunteered to write the children’s names on the water bottles, so they wouldn’t lose track of whose was whose. This job proved to take much longer than expected, which made handing out the bottles take longer. But now we know for another time.
We rent a bus from a local high school in order to transport the children from a pickup point in their neighborhood to the church. The bus takes 2 trips to be able to take all the children and women. I typed up a registration list of the children, so that one of the women could make sure each child getting on the bus was registered.
After the bus dropped off the first group at the church, the children had some time to play on the jungle gym and in the yard, while the women who came with them set up the craft room, with the tables, chairs, and materials for the crafts and also the sanctuary with chairs for the singing time and older children’s lesson time.
After the bus dropped off the first group at the church, the children had some time to play on the jungle gym and in the yard, while the women who came with them set up the craft room, with the tables, chairs, and materials for the crafts and also the sanctuary with chairs for the singing time and older children’s lesson time.
Once everyone had arrived, we began the morning with everyone together in the sanctuary. One woman gave an introduction and welcome and another one gave announcements and prayer for the day. This was the first time they did this. We had explained to them that if they show excitement and enthusiasm, then the kids will be excited. The women did not disappoint! They did a great job! We could tell they had practiced what they were going to say and delivered it very well.
Then we sang upbeat Christmas songs, using a projector with music, words, and fun motions. After the songs we showed a 10 minute animated video of the Christmas story. However, during the final song, it began to rain. It was a very hard rain, which made hearing the music impossible. This meant they wouldn’t be able to hear a video, so we improvised and took some time to hand out the water bottles. Meanwhile, the cooking ladies tore some black garbage bags to make ponchos. They had a room to work in, but the fireplace was outside, so they did their best to keep the food going.
Then we sang upbeat Christmas songs, using a projector with music, words, and fun motions. After the songs we showed a 10 minute animated video of the Christmas story. However, during the final song, it began to rain. It was a very hard rain, which made hearing the music impossible. This meant they wouldn’t be able to hear a video, so we improvised and took some time to hand out the water bottles. Meanwhile, the cooking ladies tore some black garbage bags to make ponchos. They had a room to work in, but the fireplace was outside, so they did their best to keep the food going.
After the video, they broke up into 2 groups, 6-9 year olds and 10-13 year olds. This was their lesson time, when the women read the Christmas story from the Bible, had a Q&A time for learning, and practiced a memory verse.
The ladies who were involved with the lesson and verse memorization did great jobs! They were enthusiastic. They knew ahead of time what they were going to say. They kept the children’s interests. There were different women leading different aspects of the lesson, some of which had never taught or helped during a lesson time in a VBS before, but they stepped up and did really well!
Lunch was supposed to be right after this, but it wasn’t ready. It was only ready an hour and a half after the scheduled time. This is when it was helpful that Yolanda and I were there. The women knew what to do for their individual jobs, but if something unexpected happened (like the food being late), they didn’t know how to improvise. So we had them get started with craft time, and when lunch was finally ready, they stopped where they were in the craft and then finished it after eating.
For lunch, we had chicken stew with vegetables and rice. Everyone really enjoyed it and with about 90 pounds of chicken, each child had multiple pieces. Later in the week, one of the 6 year old girls was having dinner at home with her family. She was only given one small piece of chicken (which is normal). She exclaimed to her grandmother, “At church [VBS], I got to have more than one piece of chicken!” Her grandmother replied, “Well then you can go back to church and eat there if you want.” (said in a silly manner)
Lunch was supposed to be right after this, but it wasn’t ready. It was only ready an hour and a half after the scheduled time. This is when it was helpful that Yolanda and I were there. The women knew what to do for their individual jobs, but if something unexpected happened (like the food being late), they didn’t know how to improvise. So we had them get started with craft time, and when lunch was finally ready, they stopped where they were in the craft and then finished it after eating.
For lunch, we had chicken stew with vegetables and rice. Everyone really enjoyed it and with about 90 pounds of chicken, each child had multiple pieces. Later in the week, one of the 6 year old girls was having dinner at home with her family. She was only given one small piece of chicken (which is normal). She exclaimed to her grandmother, “At church [VBS], I got to have more than one piece of chicken!” Her grandmother replied, “Well then you can go back to church and eat there if you want.” (said in a silly manner)
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We had two different crafts, one for the older group and another for the younger group. Both of them involved coloring and cutting, but when completed, they also each explained the Christmas story.
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The order of pictures on the crown tells the Christmas story, and similarly, when rotating the wheel, the pictures also reveal the Christmas story.
The women who led the craft times did a good job. If the children finished early, we had paper ornaments, with the different names of Jesus, for them to color. Just like for our other children’s events, this is most likely the only time during the year these children will get to color with crayons, use scissors, or do any other type of arts or crafts.
The women who led the craft times did a good job. If the children finished early, we had paper ornaments, with the different names of Jesus, for them to color. Just like for our other children’s events, this is most likely the only time during the year these children will get to color with crayons, use scissors, or do any other type of arts or crafts.
After the craft was over, it was time to get on the bus to go home. We sent the children home with a snack, a parents’/guardians’ letter, and a fun nativity handout for them to complete. The kids had a blast and learned a lot! They treasure our VBS times, and this day was no different. We know the things they are learning sticks with them. During lunchtime last week, a 7 year old said she wanted to tell us her memory verse. We assumed she was talking about the verse from Luke they had just learned an hour or two earlier. However, she recited a verse she had learned at VBS from August 2022! It’s so wonderful God’s Word is sticking in their hearts!
Overall, the women did a great job in each of their assigned areas! They were enthusiastic, hardworking, and gave their best for the children. However, it was clear that they are not ready to run an event like this on their own. They are capable doing their individual jobs, but time management and improvising when something unexpected comes up are still things they need to improve. However, the event was certainly a success and was a blessing to the children!
Overall, the women did a great job in each of their assigned areas! They were enthusiastic, hardworking, and gave their best for the children. However, it was clear that they are not ready to run an event like this on their own. They are capable doing their individual jobs, but time management and improvising when something unexpected comes up are still things they need to improve. However, the event was certainly a success and was a blessing to the children!
Women's Group Christmas Celebration
This week, we held our end of the year Christmas celebration with both women’s groups together. This was a wonderful time of getting together, lighting the next advent candle, having a Christmas Bible reading, eating a special lunch, and reflecting on God’s blessings from this past year.
The ladies really enjoyed and appreciated learning about the advent candles and what they mean. Yolanda also introduced them to advent Bible readings for this month, which they have been going through on a daily basis.
The ladies really enjoyed and appreciated learning about the advent candles and what they mean. Yolanda also introduced them to advent Bible readings for this month, which they have been going through on a daily basis.
Since we already had a chicken stew at the children’s event the previous week, we served a hearty beef stew and vegetables with rice and coleslaw (coleslaw is considered a special salad and often served at Christmas time). We don’t often serve meat so when we do its extra special. The ladies were sure to have their plates piled high and enjoyed it thoroughly.
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We also gave them each a small gift bag with several items inside. However, before Yolanda could give them their gifts, they wanted to give Yolanda 2 cards. They all signed it and said they are continuing to pray for her upcoming surgery. The second card had both of our names and was a Christmas card. It was very sweet of them to do that, especially because giving cards is not common in Zimbabwe. They thanked us both for all we do for them, naming specific things that each of us does. They thanked our friends (who are all of YOU). We have explained at different times that all the things we do for them doesn’t come from us, but comes from our friends in the US. But most importantly, they thanked God, because they know that ultimately, all things come from the Lord. So they were grateful to Him the most
The women all shared how the Lord has been working in their lives throughout the year. They spent a couple hours sharing their hearts and pouring out all that they have learned and God has taught them and what each of the groups mean to them. The women shared with so much vulnerability and sincerity and there are many stories to share - some of which we hope to share either at a later date or next when we are stateside in person. It was a blessed time together and a great way to end 2023 with both groups!
Below is a picture from the end of the day. Unfortunately, we didn't think about getting a group picture until after half of them left. So this is only part of the group.
Below is a picture from the end of the day. Unfortunately, we didn't think about getting a group picture until after half of them left. So this is only part of the group.
Merry Christmas!
We wish you all a Merry Christmas, as you celebrate Jesus' birth! What a blessing and gift!
"For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace." - Isaiah 9:6
"But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord."" - Luke 2:10-11
"For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace." - Isaiah 9:6
"But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord."" - Luke 2:10-11
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