The Salvation Army opened the Patvērums Childrens Day Centre in March 2002 to provide a safe environment for underprivileged children from the local community in Riga.
Wednesday, July 12, 2006
We've been to Narnia and back...
Last week was playscheme week! We had a great 5 day even though it was extremely HOT, we packed loads into the 5 days.
Each day we had around 30-35 children attend aging from 6-16! There were children from Patverums, the corps and some totally new ones which we were especially pleased about.
We started each day with an hour and a half in the hall playing games, singing worship songs, watching part of the film 'The lion, the witch and the wardrobe', then we had a short 'God spot' relating to the film and the themes in it. Then it was group time and the children completed various tasks and activities. Considering this was a very structured part of the day the children responded really well to it. After that it was sports or crafts! The children had the opportunity to have a go at silk and glass painting, making lion cushions, playing football, basketball and even sword fighting!!
On Thursday Sarah (Riga 1 corps leader) offered the children the chance to 'choose to be on the winning side' and become Christians. This was an exciting time and for me the highlight to the whole week. After her talk she gave the children to opportunity to repeat after her a prayer to become a Christian. Many responded and some for the first time!! Yeap there were angels in Heaven celebrating!!! Later in the day we got into groups and gave the children chance to share what had happened in the morning. Some children said that it had made them think about past promises they had made and said that it had had more of an impact on them this time. Others that it was the first time they had prayed like that and there was at least one of them from Patverums!
On Friday we finished the week by inviting the parents to come for an hours presentation to show and share some of the things we had done. At least 11 came which was wonderful and we were so pleased to be able to show them what their child(ren) had achieved during the week.
So what's next! Well, it's now important that we follow up on the children who made first time decisions or renewed old ones. Not easy as for some reason the normal day to day life of Patverums doesn't always lend itself when it comes to disciplining the children in their faith, but I pray that God will give us opportunities to do so in the coming days, weeks and months!
Thank you to those of you who were praying for us! We had a great time which God clearly blessed and protected!
posted by Patverums Childrens Day Centre @ 2:49 pm
