Father's fun

Recently we have been having fun. This past Saturday we had a great day in the sun with our young people. We wanted to take the time to do several important things: show how important Jesus is for real life, connect with some other youth from around Belgium, show that having fun is something God has made possible. Christians know best how to have fun, since God is the creator of fun. 

On the second Sunday of the month we had a Games Day at the building after services. More than 20 members and kids stayed afterwards and had fun playing all sorts of board games and card games. Everyone is already looking forward to the e next second Sunday Games day. This was a time of bonding between young and old, Dutch-speaking or not. Fun can be had in every language and at every age. 

The youth day we organized this past Saturday was built around the theme of ‘Build your House”. We wanted to look at what Jesus says about the wise and foolish man as well as examine how we can be living stones to the cornerstone of Jesus. 

We moved the location to a community center close to Mario and Tonia, which meant that kids from other congregations could reach it more easily (Maastricht is a good way away from where most people live). Our age-group was fairly young: from 7 to 13 years-old, because that is the age of our kids in Maastricht. We were thrilled to welcome 8 kids from various other congregations for the day. 

The sun shone brightly, the rain stayed away and the kids enjoyed the time inside and out. Our two 13 year-olds prepared the first games outside. Scott brought the first lesson outside as well before we all headed inside for lunch. After some more play time outside the kids headed inside for some practical lessons focused on how we work together. Have you ever made a tower out of flat pieces of paper? These kids came up with some great ideas. 

By the end of the day we were thrilled with how God could touch so many hearts in such a short time. Several “shy” kids blossomed throughout the activities. All of the kids helped each other in the end. And the lesson points came through loud and clear. Fun was had by all in a way that God was glorified and amplified. We pray that a good bit of what was mentioned and done will stay with the kids in the coming days and weeks. 

In November we are looking forward to joining a football (soccer) tournament with a team from Maastricht. This is another time that we can experience having fun and getting to know others around us, sharing the joy that comes with being a child of God. Before that, several teens will be heading down to camp for Fall campo and the young kids will be able to experience a week at Vacation Bible Camp. Pray for our young people and for all of the team members making these sorts of activities possible.