3 Weeks Ago: Ann Aro lead our craft and Bible story. I am told it was PHENOMENAL (I was in Roseau for the weekend) and that we had a great turn out. There was also an answered prayer that week. Ann has really connected with a little boy named Shaquille (some of you may know or remember him). At the end of last semester, we got really concerned about his well being and his living arrangements. Ann scooped him up and held him for nearly an entire session a few months ago because he was clearly upset and hungry. Come to find out, he's being "put up" by some neighbors and his parents are basically MIA. His little pockets got stuffed with snacks and he got more than a few squeezes and hugs from Ann before we had to send him on his way that day. Then we didn't see him again for the remaining 2-3 sessions. We were told that we had been "asking too many questions" and that his caretakers weren't allowing him to come to in.Light.in anymore. Of course we have all been concerned, but Ann has been at the top of that list. She's been praying that, since she's leaving the island for good in just a short 10 days, he would show up for at least one more session so she could love on him and make sure he knows she loves him. Well...God answered that prayer in a big way! Ann was teaching the lesson 3 weeks ago. All the kids were sitting in a circle. And up the stairs comes Shaquille...he makes a B-Line right to Ann and she wraps him up in hugs! I'm so sad I missed this precious moment myself, but Ann was and is still OVERJOYED that he came. And he came for 2 weeks in a row! So we are happy, even if it was just a session or two, that Shaquille was able to get to Benjamin Park and feel that supernatural love that we all (and especially Ann) have for him. That's why we do what we do right??
2 Weeks Ago: There were some scheduling conflicts for many (really most) of our volunteers. Some things at the prep school got moved around, etc., so we ended up only having 4 adults. Christy Wallace had some super cool things planned by way of games and a craft. We split up 2 and 2 to facilitate the game downstairs and the craft upstairs. Would you believe it...we had 34 kids by the time we finally got going!! 34!!! So do the math...it was a little hectic with just the 4 of us leading. God really provided in a BIG way for that though. We didn't run out of food or crafting supplies. The kids sang songs and listened to a lesson about how Faith without works is dead. We should be filled up with Jesus so that it seeps out of us and forces us to spread that love and that message to the world. Again...that's why we're here! It was a well received message and the kids had a great time. The 4 of us were a little disheveled by the end, but our hearts were so full and happy.
This Week: We had a BIG blessing this week when Lee who runs a soccer camp in the UK paid us a visit. He was here from Wednesday to Saturday afternoon and he came with us to in.Light.in to scout out the situation. He's bringing a group of high school kids in February to run a soccer camp for the Dominican kids!!! So he got out on the field on Friday and played with the kids...which they obviously LOVED. We had yet another GIANT group of kids, but this time we had an amazing volunteer turnout. We sang songs, had a lesson, and then...had a water balloon fight!!! Wow, those kids were SUPER pumped about water balloons. I'm not gonna lie, it was a bit of a free for all there toward the end. But the kids had a BLAST and had big smiles on their faces. We are so excited about this soccer camp opportunity, so please be in prayer with us for the logistics to go over well, for safe travels for the team, and for a great turnout of kids. Should be a lot of fun!
So I'll leave you with a verse that's been on my heart this week...and of course some awesome pictures!
"Light is sweet; how pleasant to see a new day dawning!" Ecclesiastes 11:7 (NLT)
Love and Light,
Summer 2013 in.Light.in Team
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