by Karen
What a joy to continue to the tradition started a couple of years ago in hosting a camp for children, specifically kids who do not know Jesus. The compound is surrounded by families with children….lots and lots of children. Many of these children play around the compound and often come inside. Some of these children have wandered into church on a Sunday morning, and about four of those that have been attending for a couple of years were baptized last summer. This is amazing, considering that most of their parents identify as Muslim.
Our camp this year was themed, JESUS HAS POWER OVER DEATH. Fifteen of our younger church kids were invited to attend alongside about 20 children from the neighborhood. Nine of our young adult “Transition Kids” served as leaders ( and let’s be honest, participants….who doesn’t love a good game or craft.) It was simply awesome for me to sit back and watch these young adults serve and love these children, some of whom they knew, but most that they did not. To watch ZachIsha’s eyes light up when the girl she was teaching recalled answers was so cool. Seeing David “adopt” little Mohamed was priceless.
DAY ONE of camp featured the story of Lazarus. The MKM kids learned to tell the story the previous Saturday, so they were prepared to help The kids then played, “LAZARUS COME OUT” (better known as redlight/greenlight), made megaphones to shout, “LAZARUS COME OUT” and played another game focusing on the friendship shared among Mary, Martha, Lazarus, and Jesus. The final session of the day had the leaders helping each of the 3 groups create a drama that depicted the story! By the end of Day ONE all the kids were proclaiming, “JESUS HAS POWER OVER DEATH.”
DAY TWO focused on the last days in the life of Jesus and the betrayal by Judas. The children learned of the last supper, the garden prayers, the capture of Jesus, his torture and eventual crucifixion. While the story was somber and serious, it ended with the hope that the children had shouted the previous day. “JESUS HAS POWER OVER DEATH!” On this day the children played games and made a crown of palm branches. Rainny had made a crown of thorns, and they responded “CHOKE CHOKE” when they touched it. (aka poke, poke) The final session of the day had the leaders helping their groups to make up, sing and present a song reflecting the story. (For days I found myself and other kids singing….”Judas betrayed Jesus, Judas betrayed Jesus, He did it for money, He did it for money…..” While the story left the children feeling saddened at the cruel treatment of Jesus, they had a hope! They had learned the story of Lazarus.
DAY THREE JESUS LIVES! The children who had never heard the story of the empty tomb sat entranced as they learned that the stone had been rolled away! Of course these literary giants used all the previous clues to predict that JESUS WAS ALIVE! The leaders were really into it and had all the children cheering and celebrating. Games followed and more celebration. The last session had each group select two or three of the invited campers to retell the story of the resurrection. The children went home and came back that evening bringing family and friends. We had several adult Muslims with us celebrating that night. The laughter and applause as the kids performed their dramas, songs, and recitations was over the top. The highlight of the night was little Mohamed; he stood on stage in front of the whole camp and many visitors and told the story of the resurrection.
This 7 year old proclaimed the good news to all of us. What a blessing! It was even more of a blessing to see Mohamed, Mustapha, Abduli, Rosaline, Mariama and others the next morning at Good Friday church service and again on Sunday! Praise God!
