"Behind the scenes" at our Backyard Bible Club

This past week has been one of the busiest weeks of my life.  Our family hosted a "Backyard Bible Club", a ministry through our church.  Each evening, Monday through Friday, we had anywhere from 30 to 50 kids not only in our backyard, but using our bathroom (thanks for being an escort Sanna we couldn't have done it without you!) and riding to and from club in our 12 passenger "bus" (as well as in several other "club helper" vehicles). 

As I sit here thinking it over, I realize that there are so many directions I could take you in this post.  I could tell you about what an awesome privilege it is to have the life-giving message of the gospel being shared in your backyard every night of the week.  I could tell you about praying for God to work because you know that their lives could be forever changed by responding to its message.  

I could tell you about the high energy fun and excitement we had during the games.  Dozens of children smiling their biggest smiles and screaming their happiest screams.  On some nights it must have sounded like we had an amusement park in our backyard.  

Dear neighbors, we do apologize...especially for giving them whistles as prizes...trust us, we regretted that!  Lesson learned.  ;)

I could also tell you about all the fellowship we had with each other here and there.  We had time to just encourage each other and talk about our day...or share how we came to know Christ.  The moments we shared when we laughed hard or when we felt sad about a situation with one of the children.  We learned to work together as a team and look out for each others needs.

But I could also share with you the challenges that we faced.  The way that I described it to my husband is that I felt like we just brought a new baby home.   Everything seemed to be shaken up and turned upside down.  My schedule?  Ha!  It was completely unraveled.  Staying up later than usual (because you want some time together as a family after everyone goes home) and sleeping in (because you are flat out exhausted!) definitely took its toll.  

The first night, we barely managed to scarf down a peanut butter sandwich because I failed to time things well and suddenly it was time to leave and pick up children.  We timed things better on the other nights...but I just have to say I don't know what I would have done if a dear family from church had not brought us those meals!  It made life so much easier for us.  

Every day of the week was busy and active...just preparing to not have the evening available as we typically do.  All the children's baths had to be taken earlier...more cleaning and tidying than usual...and all after getting a late start to the day.  We tried to take relaxing breaks here and there to do things we enjoy....but not for too long!  I had the pressure of pacing myself.  

"Let's make sure the laundry is done!  Clean your rooms!  Vacuum the carpet!  People are coming over tonight!"  Go go go go go!  

You know how you feel when someone is coming over...you do your best to put everything in its place.  Well it was like that for five days in a row!  We all have a certain pace that we are accustomed to and this week increased our pace considerably.

That said, we enjoyed it.  We enjoyed all the excitement and fun.  We rejoice that a sweet girl trusted in Christ for salvation from her sin.  She was very eager to learn about God and we are so thankful for God's work in her heart.  

As for our son Javi, there are more words to say than I can say here now.  But suffice it to say, that after many months of him hearing the gospel and asking questions, he sat down next to me on the couch and told me that he asked God to forgive him for his sins.  He seems to understand the basic gist of the gospel (simple enough even for a child) and we are simply taking him at his word.  It is difficult to tell just how much he is wanting to gain our approval.  We are not backing our kids into a corner, we simply teach, share and wait on God to do the work.  We assure them that we love them no matter what and it's not like we treat them as more special if they profess to have faith in Christ.  So we will just continue to put the gospel before all of our children and pray for God to do the work in their hearts.  Only he truly knows what is inside.

So many memories were made this week.  I wouldn't trade it for the world.

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I shared a bunch of pictures each night on Facebook.  I decided to pick a few favorites to share here on my blog.  

my husband showing and telling the kids how to play a game

Manny gets tickled by his big sis Amera

during song time

intensity!

The kids had fun playing while all the other club kids were being taken home.

a sweet moment as we tried to get Manny to smile for the camera

love this one of Joelle

She is my sunshine!  But not the only one!

This photo gives you at least some idea of what it was like on "Water Day"!  Ha!

It's amazing how much fun you can have with a hose and spray nozzle!

My sweet little boy...love him!

Lots of laughs during the puppet show/memory verse time

Sweet!

"Aaaaaargh yah maytees!"  Isabel certainly gave us a good chuckle!

Without a doubt, I'd do it again!