Perseverance

Last week while we were having our kids sport week one of the activities was for children to do a gymnastics obstacle course. One part was to jump on a small trampoline onto a large matt. One little girl came to take on this challenge over and over again. She was far too small to get up on her own so for the first few times I helped her up and off she would go again. After a while she learned how to place her legs on the supporting matt to get up on her own. She was incredibly persistent. It reminded me of Hebrews 12:1 which says "Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith." Just as this little girl ran with perseverance to complete the challenge that seemed impossible for her we are asked to do the same. To run with perseverance on the path that God has marked out with all the challenges or times where we feel like we can't go on.

Kids Camp Week

This week we are running a kids sport camp week for children grades one to six. It is a program that partners with the community, social workers and teachers to give something for children to do during their winter vacation. In the past their has been a problem with children wondering the streets unsupervised at this young age especially children from immigrant backgrounds. This program was implemented last year to help with this situation. The children participate in sports activities, crafts, a short story and a snack every day. It is all free and open for as many children that want to come. The first day we had about 50 children and the number continues to grow. 

Yesterday I was helping with crafts which was making a wooden box with a light in it. One of the older girls that I know fairly well because she comes to our kids program was having a difficult time with this and started to cry. I saw her and asked if she was alright. She nodded but she didn't seem fine. I stayed with her for a few more moments and explained that the task was difficult and I learnt how to do these things at a much older age. She seemed reassured and continued to work on her project. At the end of the day I saw her again and asked if she felt better. She said yes. I gave her a hug and told her that she is so beautiful. She said goodbye with a big smile on her face. It was one of those moments that I knew that God was working in her heart and bringing her towards him. She was seeing Christ through me which is why I serve everyday. 

Healing

Last Friday evening we were doing street outreach. We walked up to a group of teenage boys and started to ask them questions to win five Swiss Frank's. One boy in particular was very engaged in the conversation. After a short talk we noticed that his ankle was wrapped up and he was using crutches. We asked if we could pray for healing. He agreed even though he didn't understand. We prayed and then asked him to walk without his crutches. At first he was limping a little bit then started walking more and more normally. The boy couldn't believe that his ankle was healed. He was telling all of his friends around him " I don't know what happened this man put his hand on my ankle and now I can walk!" Through this we were able to spread the gospel talking about how Jesus is the true God and the ultimate healer. Coming from a Muslim background this teenager started to think that Jesus is more than just a profit. He was given a bible and will hopefully discover Jesus in a whole new way.