November 2007
ashleycummins@gmail.com
I pulled through the dark iron gate and drove down the hill. I took a right at the bubbling fountain and pulled my car into my usual spot under the shade trees. I walked across the oil stained parking lot downstairs to the mission. From the back closet I pulled out eight shoe boxes and laid them along with ruby red wrapping paper, safety scissors and tape on the green tablecloth. Today is our service project day. We're packing the shoe boxes for Operation Christmas Child.
The kids ran in very excited and headed straight towards the boxes. I told them that today we're going to be missionaries and we're sending toys to kids around the world. "WOW! That's cool!" Some kids said. One girl asks, "How they are going to get the presents?" I told them all that the presents travel by boats, airplanes and maybe even camels. They are enthusiastic and ready to start.
It definitely was the first time these kids had ever wrapped anything. The boxes were pretty mangled. I swooped in to help. It was fun to work side by side with their little hands helping me hold down the paper as I bit off some tape.
Once we'd all finished wrapping I went back to the closet and drug out a heavy duty trash bag full of trinkets and goodies. This really gets the kids attention! They scrambled over fighting to stick their hands in first. After each child is satisfied with their treasures and have packed them into the shoeboxes we all gathered on the wood floor to pray over our gifts.
It's a beautiful sight when, before I even tell them what to do or say, a few already have their hands crossed and heads bowed, whispering passionately for the kids in other countries. We have a group prayer. The kids lay their hands on their boxes praying for it to arrive safely and for the other kids to really enjoy it and know that Jesus loves them. Then everyone's dismissed to go play at the park.
As I'm picking up the scaps of colourful paper I thought to myself, "Our first mission project was pretty successful! I wonder what our next one should be?"
Isn't it great to see kids in need helping other kids?
Please keep the Kensington Station Kids in your prayers during the Holidays and check out my blog at www.walkingbrain.org!
With love,
Ashley