Neighborhood Day Camp (and a squashed rat)

The kids were grouped into teams for a creative time. 
This day they made animals out of duct tape (above is a bird).

     In July we helped our church put on a day camp in our neighborhood.  Over 120 kids came this week, God protected the weather during the exact hours of the camp, and kids as well as parents heard a lot of truth and had a lot of fun!

 

     Each day we had a time for sports and organized games.  Leif was the sports instructor and he did a great job!

 
          This year I was asked to help sing songs at the camp.  I was a little hesitant, as I was also making lunch each day for the workers at our home and I wasn't sure how hard it would be to juggle both.  But it turned out to be a blessing to firsthand be a part of the camp and to see the kids' faces.  One day I was particularly touched when I looked out and realized that all of these kids were singing of God's great love and power. 

Acting out the parable of the Good Samaritan

    On this day, the kids were broken into groups and each group acted out a parable from the Bible.  They had about 10 minutes to practice together, and then one child was chosen from each group to read the passage while the others acted it out.  I was also really blessed to watch this, as I know that these stories will stay with these kids for many years to come!

     Each day, our team performed powerful skits depicting important spiritual truths.  I didn't get any pictures at the day camp, but this was the group practicing one day to the song "Set Me Free".

A Relay Race with Toilet Paper

Ella and Anneka were there each day, and they both really enjoyed it!

     Ike was with me at home for part of the time, helping "cook".  Then we walked to the sports square when it was time for me to sing and he participated in the program with the kids for the second half. Anneka did a great job of welcoming him into her group and leading him where he needed to go.  (one day he stayed home with Inka while I sang, and that was special for him, too!)

Ike, sitting on Leif's lap during the message time.

     Each day there was a short Biblical message for the kids, too.  Our pastor, Sasha was encouraged because he gave the kids homework each day, and they returned the following day, telling him that they'd done it... things like thanking their parents for giving them life or asking forgiveness to someone that they'd wronged.  It was neat to see them applying the messages to their lives.  

     Leif connected with the kids and enjoyed little breaks of being able to talk with them.

     Here's the crew that ate at our home each day for lunch (workers and their own kids).  We had between 25 and 30 people each day.

Ike ate on the floor in the kitchen next to me to save room at the tables.  He's my little buddy!

Doesn't his x-ray remind you of a dinosaur?

     In the middle of the week, we had a little accident with our rat.  Someone in our family (who will remain nameless) accidentally sat on him one afternoon.  Ratty Pie was in bad shape and we rushed him to the vet.  He was hardly moving and didn't eat or drink for 2 days.  He was kept alive through prayers and glucose shots.  Thankfully he pulled through and began perking up after we offered him some mashed potatoes.  What a relief!  Now he is doing well and back to his normal self.  For 2 vet visits, an x-ray, and multiple shots, we paid less than $10.  We asked Leif's brother how much that would have cost in the states (as he is a veterinarian himself) and he said easily as much as $500!  We're so thankful he pulled through.  We certainly weren't expecting that in the middle of everything else!

Here are a few more pictures from the day camp...

We thank God for a wonderful week and pray that the seeds planted will grow a hundredfold!