The statement above could apply to spreading the message of Christ. Star of Hope has made a great effort to incorporate the Gospel into almost everything they do. For instance, they have established Awana clubs in Kenya, Ghana, and Haiti in recent years. In case you’re unfamiliar with the Awana program, here’s a brief overview from their website.
Awana provides a program that teaches kids and their families about the Gospel. Their reliable and adaptable program helps you develop leaders and teach kids to follow Christ throughout their lives. The program and activities are available to children from the age of two to eighteen.
While Awana clubs in the United States are preparing for their evening meetings during this time of year, in our project countries, the Awana program is integrated into the school day. This approach ensures that every child can participate without having to attend another activity. Our schools also extend a welcoming invitation to children from the neighborhood, allowing them to attend Awana events. This not only provides valuable learning opportunities but also enables teachers to become acquainted with the health and living conditions of children who don’t attend school.
We were honored to host another AWANA training in Kenya. The event was attended by 456 children from our Mikindani and Jimba schools. School teachers, Sunday school teachers, and facilitators, including Pastor Joseph and Samuel Karisa from the AWANA Foundation, were also present.
The training was broken into three segments, aligning with the structure of the Awana program…
During Council Time, leaders learn how to tell Bible stories to the children and explain the lessons learned from those stories. This session aims to teach the clubbers the nature and character of God, His plan for salvation through Jesus Christ, and how to live a Christian life.
Game Time is the children’s favorite activity. Here, teachers were trained to use games, ensuring that teaching the word of God is both fun and interesting.
During Small Group Time, the focus is on connecting children with God and promoting fellowship between the children and their teachers. Participants are divided into small groups of 6-8, engaging in activities that foster teamwork. This approach helps teachers identify children with learning difficulties, enabling them to better understand God’s teachings. Additionally, this time allows leaders to identify students who might need extra help with their home life or regular studies.
Following the training sessions, all participants took a lunch break. The children enjoyed a special meal and a soft drink with their teachers.
In Kansas, USA, a church utilized its Vacation Bible School offering to support the Awana program in Ghana. Alongside bills and checks, they generously contributed over 35 lbs of coins, helping alleviate the coin shortage. Their efforts raised nearly $2000, specifically allocated for Awana uniforms, snacks, and media equipment.
To enhance the connection, Star of Hope USA sent a “Hello” picture to Ghana, allowing the children there to see the faces of those who raised funds for them. The children in Ghana were thrilled to see all the smiling faces.
Star of Hope Ghana swiftly received the funds from Kansas, and the impact has been remarkable. Awana purchases were promptly made, enabling exciting developments for the children.
Now, during game time, the children in Ghana can divide into teams according to their uniform color. Additionally, thanks to the generous support, they have a dedicated snack fund and funds to order a microphone and sound system. This equipment will amplify their voices, allowing them to be heard by more people.
Though we may be physically distant from the people in these other countries, our collective actions can profoundly impact their lives and eternal destiny. Please remember Star of Hope in your considerations for any missions you are involved in.
Warm regards,
Mark Presson
Star of Hope CEO
