Primary Retreat - Day 1

Day 6 - Arlene's blog day

Our day began with a breakfast of bananas, ground nuts, boiled eggs in which the yolks are also white, tea with lots of milk and sugar, and biscuits. The biscuits are round and flat, but somewhat dry. They are very good dunked in tea and then dipped in sugar.

The Timothy Children had started singing, and the church walls were rocking with the volume and strength of their voices, along with their enthusiasm. It was hard to just observe, so we all joined in the praise and worship. Each child received a Bible.

The children decided on some rules to follow like respecting one another and a list of things not to do, like stealing and not leaving the compound.

Pastor Jamez taught a lesson about following Jesus, which is the narrow, right, and good way. He contrasted this with following Satan's way, which is wide, wrong, and bad. Rebecca began our program by telling the children the story of how God created the world. She told what God did day by day.

I (Arlene) told the story of Adam and Eve and how they had a good thing going and messed it all up by disobeying God. They sinned and their sin was passed on even to us. Theirs and our relationship was broken with God. The children listened very intently.

We sang some songs. One of them being Hip, Hip, Hippopotamus. We caught the children off guard when we turned into hippos, and they roared with laughter. We had to do the song a few more times and taught it to them.

After a lunch of fish, rice, sweet potatoes, pasho, and beans, along with tea, we continued our program.

Katherine taught about Jesus' birth and life and that he came to earth to restore our relationship with him. She had the children participate in the Nativity Story. We helped the children make wooden sticks with bells attached to be shaken when we sang a few Christmas songs, including Jingle Bells.

Bryan spoke about the crucifixion and Jesus' sacrifice for us followed by Steve telling about the resurrection. Steve gave a powerful talk and invitation to accept Christ as Savior. Six children came to kneel on the floor and prayed to receive Christ. (Aihila Mary, Munyes Mercy, Agan Brenda, Angolere Anna, Longora Mercy, Lowii Lokure)

Then next we played some games with the children. They really liked London Bridges and Duck, Duck Goose. I couldn't believe when I picked the smallest child, and they still would beat me back to my spot.

Following a supper of rice, beans, goat and pasho, the children watched The Jesus Film on the church wall with a projector powered by a generator.

The conditions here are hot, dry, very dusty and dirty. The women have a hard job cooking in pots over an open fire. Their days are long and difficult, and yet they smile and are full of joy. Our food is covered with flies at times. Someone sits with a pitcher of water over a basin and trickles water over our hands to clean them (usually no soap). The latrines have a nauseating odor and are full of flies and mosquitoes. The village children wear clothing with such rips and tears that they wouldn't even make good cleaning rags for us. These hardships seem to disappear in the laughter and singing of the children. God has also blessed them with a beautiful land. The sunsets, mountains, and greenery are breathtaking. It is a privilege to serve my Savior by ministering to these people - His children.

Video: Children Singing