Children's Ministry

Children's ministry is very close to our hearts. We have served as Sunday School teachers for ten years in the various cities we have lived in. We have found that Sundays in Nyahuka have been a bit challenging for us as we try to figure out how to get our four children to sit through a two and half hour service in Lubwisi. To make things more interesting, we often find that we are not just in charge of our four kids, but we are often looking after ten other kids who have been sent to church alone by their parents just to get them out of the house. We usually draw a crowd as they jostle to sit by our little ones so they can look at the books or crayons or cars that our kids have brought to the service.

The church we attend has not had a children's ministry for almost two years after losing some of their regular teachers. We often count about fifty children who are wandering in the worship hall and in the yard while the church service is happening. Someone is almost always crying, falling off a bench, hitting another child, or running around, which makes it difficult for the adults to concentrate.  We have been praying regularly for the church to launch a children's ministry again to help engage these little ones with the Word of God.

We thought about starting a ministry on our own, but we realized that a better long term solution would be to support and encourage a local church member who felt called to this task. Well, our prayers have been answered! The congregation recently sent Marc's language instructor (Thomas) to the capital for a training conference on children's ministry. Since returning, he has been faithful at gathering the children together in a building behind the church for singing and Bible stories during the sermon. The first Sunday that he did this, there were sixty-two children who came. He recently asked us if he could borrow our copy of 'The Jesus Storybook Bible' to use for curriculum.

Please pray for Thomas, and Bundamalinga Church, as they seek to share God's love with the children of Bundibugyo. And please pray for these little ones as they faithfully attend each week and now have the opportunity to hear God's word at their level. We look forward to finding ways that we can encourage and empower this ministry.