Raining kids

One of the things we are getting to is to run a kids club out of the front yard. There are so many little mites everywhere and to love God is to love kids.

Yesterday our devotion was about Jesus wrapping his arms around children whilst the disciples were trying to chase the little ones away. We talked about learning to have a Jesus heart instead of the predominant hard religious heart.

Part of the first wave this morning.

Literally this morning, I saw a little hand reach thru' our gate and undo the latch. In no time we had 15 kids running in our yard, kicking a soccer ball around, checking out the fish pond at close quarters and giving the garden swing the time of its' life. Their timing was great, as this also is the day that the Christchurch team is coming to run the first childrens program. So I let them run riot for 20 or 30 minutes, then sent them off with instructions to return at 3pm.

Donald Scott and team were here at 2pm for the 3pm launch. We talked in terms of having 20 kids come. Pause - Tui ad. Not less than 50 kids and two dogs poured thru' the gates

The team did great. They kicked off with Danny and Caitlin singing Maori action songs. A couple more songs; then the boys hit the soccer pitch (NZ vs Cambodia) while the girls did face-painting and hopscotch. Some of the little girls had even arrived in their best clothing, such was their excitement that there was a neighbourhood happening.

Cambodian striker in action

Danny spreading a little love around

Jan leading the hopscotch

Jan led a lively dramatic retelling of the Prodigal Son after the games. We had the dad, the sons, the party boys, the pig farmer - and squeals of laughter coming from ... outside the gate. This was a neighbourhood event and we had a good crowd of parents peering in from every vantage point!

Watching eagerly

The Christchurch team in 'My God Is So Big' song mode. Donald was taking pics.