NAC 09 - Family Funfest Global Mainstreet

North American Convention of the Church of God, Anderson IN
Sat. 6/27: Family Funfest Global Mainstreet, 10 AM-2 PM.

To help celebrate 100 years of foreign missions, missionaries staffed experiential stations: bank, bookstore, food store, church, cinema, clothing store, craft store, music store, park, and school.

At the bookstore tent, I presented two African folktales. In the picture above, I am sharing the book, It Takes a Village based on African proverb, "It takes a village to raise a child" with audience chiming in on a repeated phrase. Children discovered consequences of greed as they dramatized the story, "Why Spiders Have a Thin Middle" with felt hand puppets.

Fishers of Men - Venice FL

Church: Venice First Church of God

Pastor: Rev. Ron Fichtenberg

Date: May 31, 2009

After sharing my "Journey Back to Cote d'Ivoire" PowerPoint presentation during morning worship, the youngsters and I went to Children's Church. First there was a "West African Children" PowerPoint which included learning some French phrases and ended with singing "Jesus Loves the Little Children" and a Q & A time.

We then explored what "Fishers of Men" meant in general and how children can be fishers of men plus several Bible learning activities. In photos above the girls and boys race to put together a felt fish jigsaw puzzle of the memory verse - "Come follow me, and I will make you fishers of men." - Matthew 4:19

Following lunch together I field tested my new interactive workshop for the June North American Convention of the Church of God - "Children's Literature in Christian Education." Thank you Venice FChoG for you wonderful participation in the workshop, for your hospitality, and for your offering for my start-up budget.

Praise Report - no malignancy

Praise the Lord! “No indication of malignancy.” SWEET MUSIC to my ears.

Thirty-three days from diagnostic mammogram and sonogram with immediate notification of calcification cluster abnormality, being told 20% chance of beginning cancer until surgical biopsy results.

Much practice in waiting on the Lord, learning the power of praise and scriptures to give strength and peace. Here are some of the scriptures that strengthened me during those waiting days:

“Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go." Joshua 1:9

“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” Romans 8:28

"You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in you." Isaiah 26:3

"Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything." James 1:2-4 (hard to stomach, but empowering!)

"But those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint." Isaiah 40:31

My favorite praise song is "This is the day the Lord has made, I will rejoice and be glad in it." BTW, multiple interpretations of “I'll Praise You in this Storm” / Casting Crowns are on YouTube.com