The loud sounds of balloons popping after the game was a bit much for this little one.
Thankfully, Libby was there to bring her some comfort.
The evening began with fun and games. Balloons were floating all around as children slowly tapped them in an effort to keep them in the air. The kids cheered their teams on in the relay race of matching up numbered balls with numbered cups. And of course, who can forget the caterpillar race? Stephen energetically led in the games and the kids had a blast!
The kids are learning the songs more and more each night. Not only the words, but also their meaning.
Ooops! Kristen's balloons were out of order! : )
Javier went over the memory verse with children. He taught them that putting on the
armor of God is a choice we make and that God has provided it for us to use.
Amanda taught about the shield of faith. She demonstrated how without her shield she is unprotected and has nothing to block the blows, but with the shield of faith she can protect herself. This young boy was pretty ginger with the sword at first and needed some encouragement to really go for it!
She asked this young man to help demonstrate what faith is like. She promised him that she would not let him get hurt and asked him if he believed her. He did, and as she put on his blindfold she explained how true faith believes, even when it cannot "see".
We all waited in eager anticipation to see if he would "have faith" in Amanda's promise. Loud cheers rang out as he slowly let his body fall back into Josh's waiting arms. As Josh helped him to stand and his blindfold was removed, we saw that his smile was a mile wide! He had trusted! What an exciting moment! As we cheered, I thought of how the angels "rejoice in heaven over one sinner who repents." (Luke 15:10) This vivid "picture" of faith was beautiful.
Amanda taught us from the Bible account of Daniel chapter three. We learned about three godly men who were stolen from their homes and families and taken captive to a foreign land. Though commanded to by the king, they refused to bow down and worship a false god. Their faith in God was strong, even though they were in very difficult circumstances. They would rather die in the fiery furnace than turn from their faith.
It was a blessing and joy to see her passionately teach this lesson. I was so moved as I listened to her vivid descriptions of what these men faced, and yet their faith was never shaken.
So what flaming darts (or arrows) does Satan shoot us with? Amanda put up examples of the lies Satan aims our way to make us doubt God.
"God must not love you. He can't even take care of you."
"You can't do anything right, you're such a loser!"
"You don't need God, believing in God is for sissies."
It is our faith in God that is a shield against these arrows. I pray that God would give each and every one the faith to believe his Word and not the lies of the devil.
Hmmm...are there any lies I am believing?
Just the thought of these children having faith in God to extinguish these arrows is enough to make my heart swell with hope that they can experience the blessedness of trusting God in every circumstance and not believe the lies of the devil.
What blessings!
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