All year in Kids Prayer the kids have been learning how to pray. In November, we started a new theme entitled, "Do Something." The goal was to focus on a project, raise funds and PRAY! I got the idea from Matthew West's song by the same title. Here is a portion of the lyrics:
Well, I just couldn't bear the thought of
People living in poverty
Children sold into slavery
The thought disgusted me
So, I shook my fist at Heaven
Said, "God, why don't you do something?"
He said, "I did. I created you."
Even though I decided we should "do something" by helping and praying for someone else in need, I wanted the kids to take ownership of the project by choosing who we should help. Each child was given an opportunity to voice his or her idea. Some of the children gave generic answers such as, "the homeless" or "sick people." Others spoke about helping deaf children or van ministry kids. Then, one ten year old boy stood up and gave a detailed, persuasive speech about helping people in West Africa who had Ebola. It was persuasive indeed...the entire class voted for his idea!
I did some research which led me to Missionary Albert Stewart in Liberia, Africa. He had a medical clinic but it had closed due to several staff members' death from Ebola. The country was in desperate need of food due to the crisis. I contacted Bro Stewart who referred me to Compassion Services International, an organization overseeing the funds for the Ebola crisis in Liberia.
We held one fundraiser selling Scripture Candy. At the end, when tallying up the costs/sales, the salesperson at the candy company put his personal profit into our project giving us a total of $500. Wow! What an unexpected blessing! Give a big shout out to Michael!
This project was more than just helping others by raising money on their behalf. As we learned about Liberia, Africa, we prayed for the various needs. We prayed for the President of the country, Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, after learning she had visited one of the Apostolic churches there. We prayed for the medical clinic after learning it had re-opened with new staff members. We put a world map on the floor and prayed for Liberia asking God to pour our His Spirit upon the people of that country.
Only eternity will tell of the results of this project. Perhaps a life was spared in Liberia because we gave them food. Perhaps one of the children in Kids Prayer will grow up to be a missionary. Who knows? All I know is that you're never too young (or too old) to change your world...DO SOMETHING!
"And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me." Matthew 25:40 (Bold emphasis mine).
Well, I just couldn't bear the thought of
People living in poverty
Children sold into slavery
The thought disgusted me
So, I shook my fist at Heaven
Said, "God, why don't you do something?"
He said, "I did. I created you."
Even though I decided we should "do something" by helping and praying for someone else in need, I wanted the kids to take ownership of the project by choosing who we should help. Each child was given an opportunity to voice his or her idea. Some of the children gave generic answers such as, "the homeless" or "sick people." Others spoke about helping deaf children or van ministry kids. Then, one ten year old boy stood up and gave a detailed, persuasive speech about helping people in West Africa who had Ebola. It was persuasive indeed...the entire class voted for his idea!
I did some research which led me to Missionary Albert Stewart in Liberia, Africa. He had a medical clinic but it had closed due to several staff members' death from Ebola. The country was in desperate need of food due to the crisis. I contacted Bro Stewart who referred me to Compassion Services International, an organization overseeing the funds for the Ebola crisis in Liberia.
We held one fundraiser selling Scripture Candy. At the end, when tallying up the costs/sales, the salesperson at the candy company put his personal profit into our project giving us a total of $500. Wow! What an unexpected blessing! Give a big shout out to Michael!
This project was more than just helping others by raising money on their behalf. As we learned about Liberia, Africa, we prayed for the various needs. We prayed for the President of the country, Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, after learning she had visited one of the Apostolic churches there. We prayed for the medical clinic after learning it had re-opened with new staff members. We put a world map on the floor and prayed for Liberia asking God to pour our His Spirit upon the people of that country.
"And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me." Matthew 25:40 (Bold emphasis mine).
