...Thought I'd take you along with me to visit the childrens' ministry that I'm a part of, Seeders of Lebanon. We're a ministry located in the city of Lebanon, PA. and we meet every Tuesday night. We have about 50 children, on average, who attend 'Tuesday church' regularly. A typical night - if such a thing exists when you're working with children! - goes as follows.
Each night starts with a devotional time and prayer. We set up our class-rooms, then hit the road for pick-up. Depending on the night, or the children, or the weather, or unexplained naughtiness, the ride can be mild or wild. Usually it's wild. :) Having up to 15 children in a 15 passenger van can be fun!
Once we're back to our rented building, the children disperse to their classrooms, divided by age. My class ranges on average from age 6-10. Peek into our classroom...
We four teachers - two girls and two guys - take turns teaching each week. Generally we have anywhere from 5-12 children, depending on the night, all crowded into our little classroom. Natasha, with her wiry hair, irresistible smile and endless energy, comes tumbling into the room. "Who's teaching tonight did you bring candy can I have a piece of gum when are we going to sing?" She's always bubbling over with things to say and a song to pick!
Carey and Dorothy are evidently sisters. Both have blond-brown hair and sweet smiles. Carey is our youngest little girl - and she loves to be carried around, in spite of her age. She'll give you one smile with her missing front teeth, and her inability to say her R's correctly, and you'll not be able to resist her! Her older sister, Dorothy, is very idependent; I find myself trusting her as I would a older girl, having very grown-up conversations. She's a gem when other, younger girls are acting up during class time - she knows what behaviour we expect, and encourages the other girls to comply.
There's a explosion of noise and in comes another crowd of girls. Pushing and shoving and chattering, they're enjoying themselves already. Cartwheels, jumping jacks, wrestling - it's going to be a lively night. It's class time, so we organize the girls and have them sit on the floor in a big circle, strategically making sure that we staff are sitting in between the naughtiest ones. ;)
"Hush, everybody! It's class time! Remember the rule - no talking during class." We sing together for awhile ... the children often will get really excited, singing loudly, clapping, moving around. Without fail, someone will get carried away and start shouting, disturbing the class on the other side of our curtain 'wall'. That's life - it's not at all unusual to hear other classes of children shouting or running around. We aim to keep order, but at times it's a real challenge with these city children!
One of us will teach the children a simple Bible lesson for 5-10 minutes. We love object lessons, as the children can understand and grasp those much easier than when we just read a Bible story. The last time that I taught class, I used the topic of bad/good thoughts, and what to do about the bad ones.
I brought a really cute doll - my younger sister's special baby doll - and had my fellow teacher say a bad thought: "Jess, you should keep that doll to yourself and not share her. Don't share! Don't share!" I asked the children what I should do with that thought - should I listen to it? They were undecided; refusing to share is the norm. ;) So I pretended to push that bad thought - my helper - right out the door! They cheered me on, laughing and talking all at once.
I think you get the idea - lesson time is lively, loud, and very active. We have to work to get their attention, and to keep it. Sometimes they have the greatest questions, such as, "if God made a flood, and killed all the people because they were wicked ... what about us? We're wicked, too." Or, "How are we made in God's image?"
Some nights, as we leave the lights of the city behind and head for our homes, we feel overwhelmed. These children have deep, deep needs. Most have at least one parent who is absent; some are living with relatives who really don't love them, due to both parents being in jail. Others don't remember dad at all; worst yet, some don't know who their dad or mom is.
Three of our girls lost their dad in a shoot-out. One has been molested ... twice. Each child has a unique story, unique problems and hurts. We never know what we might face each night, and we know that we need God's grace and wisdom to deal with each child.
It's the greatest joy to pour our lives into these children in this little city. I love it. Tuesday never comes fast enough! Oh that they would get a taste of who Jesus is, through our lives and through our love. We realize that we're not going to be able to influence their lives for very long; they're going to grow up, and move on in life - and what we pour into their lives now will, Lord willing, make a difference for eternity.
So, leaving the noise and pain and needs of my city behind us ... I hope that you, my readers, enjoyed your visit. And maybe, if God lays us on your heart, you'll pray for us.
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