Morning Preschool Visit to Dihatshwane Village where we practiced writing the letter S, served food and sang some songs with the kids.
Youth Empowerment Program – Day 1
We were set up in 5 table groups. As an icebreaker activity, we each had a portion of an animal puzzle to try and put together.
We learned lessons from the Anointing of David to Defeating Goliath. The kids had fun doing the outdoor parachute activity.
Key Verse for David’s Story: “I have found David son of Jesse, a man after my own heart; he will do everything I want him to do.” (Acts 13:22)
“The programs are good to deliver, but the lasting impact is the interaction you have with the people here that may be the most important for them and perhaps meaningful for us.” – Michael
Question: As you think about the children you’ve met today, how did you serve them as a minister of God’s grace?
“When we got to the preschool, I had five boys at my table. And one guy was just sniffling, and he had tears in his eyes and was crying. Michael was the first to pick him up and then he handed him to me. And I just held him for about the first half of the time we were there. By the end of our time there, he was smiling, hewas tracing S’s with me and was smiling back at me and interacting.I believe I got to serve him as a minister of God’s grace by just pulling in and rocking.” – Pastor Todd Mathison
“Those teachers are wonderful. The teacher aides and the mom, the women in the kitchen and those cooking all the food.”
“I was amazed by the preschool kids and how well behaved they are. They all waited patiently for everyone to be served and recited their little prayers that they learned by heart. No one complains about the porridge. They eat it to the last drop catching it with their spoon on the side if it dripped down their lip.”
“Mine was Emma Kayla. She was the girl who didn’t have any arms. I’ve worked with autistic kids and special needs kids for a while. So they have a special place in my heart. As soon as they saw her, I swung over. So, um, I don’t know how to say it in Swahili. Cause I really, just seeing her smile. I kept telling her I loved her, and she would repeat it back. She was five years old and very smart. She wrote with her toe and fed herself too. I just want her to know that she is loved.” – Erica
“I thoroughly enjoyed when we were doing the puzzles. By time that we got going on that, we were just laughing together with kids. I love to laugh and they were just looking at me and laughing. It was a warm experience.”
“There was one little preschool girl that had little yellow sweatpants on and a little yellow cap. When it was time to eat, she went from table to table like a little bird with her mouth open. The other kids were feeding her and feeding themselves. It was the cutest little thing. It’s my favorite part of the day. I’m reminded that we were with children in a number of different ways today. Where they would typically be set aside, ignored or intentionally marginalized — we were all called here to love them and serve them in the name of Jesus.”
“I was struck again this morning at the preschool. And the students were selected to say, myself, their name, their gender, their age, if they’re from the village, what they want to be when they grow up. What they want to be. What they want to be when they grow up. I want to be a doctor. I want to be a lawyer. And I remember thinking that is helping them have hope. But what are the chances they’re going to be firefighters or teachers or doctors? Certainly we can pray for them.”
